Brad Astbury (University of Melbourne, -)For evaluation to deliver on its promise, organisations need to strengthen their evaluation maturity. Evaluation maturity models provide a roadmap for improving evaluation culture and capability within an organisation. They typically consist of criteria for success and performance levels that guide understanding and action about the planning, conduct and use of evaluation.
However, there is no one-size fits all approach to developing and implementing evaluation maturity models. There are also many challenges that can prevent maturity models from getting off the ground or being applied.
The purpose of this interactive session is to develop capability in using evaluation maturity models. We will begin with an overview of a recent process for developing a fit for purpose maturity model and share the model.
We will then use a facilitated World Café approach for evaluators to share insights about evaluation maturity models, including:
- What should be included in an evaluation maturity model, what might be missing from the example provided
- What must be in place before an organisation introduces an evaluation maturity model (i.e. pre-conditions to consider)
- Fit for purpose development processes for different organisations (based on size, organisation type - government, non-government and other sector contexts - and existing experience with evaluation)
- Challenges involved in implementation and tactics to overcome these (using scenarios)
Benefits to participants include an opportunity to learn about evaluation maturity models, establish connections with others working on maturity models, and share and advance knowledge in the evaluation community about how maturity models might support organisational capacity to do and use evaluation. A summary of outcomes will be distributed to participants after the session and could be shared through the AES journal or blog.
