Alternative Methodologies in Developmental Evaluation

Developmental evaluation (DE) is a dynamic approach which recognizes the importance of integrating evaluative learning from ongoing evidence to measure impact, and suggest course correction in complex, evolving environments. Unlike traditional evaluation methods which focus on predetermined outcomes, alternative evaluation methods perceive communities as active participants and allow for incorporation of insights, experiences, and values to shape the trajectory of development initiatives. This approach requires a deep commitment to inclusivity, reflexivity, and engagement with diverse stakeholders to ensure that evaluations capture the nuanced experiences and perspectives of all participants.
The panel will highlight several community-led and community based methods namely, Outcome Mapping+ (OM+) and Social Network Analysis (SNA). These alternate methods enrich the evaluation process and contribute to more meaningful and sustainable outcomes. Participatory methods like Outcome Mapping+ embraces participatory approaches to monitoring and evaluation encouraging ownership of the process and its outcomes. Social Network Analysis (SNA), too, offers a powerful lens to understand the dynamics of relationships, interactions, and flows of information within a community or organization. While traditional developmental evaluation methods being unidimensional in focus, emphasize primarily on outcomes and processes within a program or initiative, incorporating participatory and alternative methods like Outcome Mapping+ and SNA provide alternative methodologies calling for stakeholder engagement at multiple levels, focuses on process and relationships, and ensures continuous learning and adaptation. The panel will, through examples and case studies, elaborate on how to practically use Outcome mapping+ and Social Network Analysis. Another community-led and community-based method that the panel will delve into is on aspects of measuring collectivisation. As more grantmakers support collectives, there is a growing need to understand the interface between collectives and grantmakers. As more stakeholders turn to collectives to steer social change, there is a risk that this platform is treated as a ‘silver bullet’ without a thorough understanding of the ups and downs and power contestations inherent in collectives. Panelists will present an in-depth exploration of challenges in evolving a self-diagnostic tool for collectives. We explore சிந்தனை (Sindhanai, meaning critical reflection) as a contemplative pedagogy to understand collectivisation; and the need to measure the presence of critical reflection as a core attribute for collectivisation. The goal of this learning is to bring a comprehensive understanding of collectivisation so as to help collectives as well as those who facilitate these collectivisation processes.