Developmental evaluation

Developmental Evaluation (DE) is an evaluation approach that can assist social innovators develop social change initiatives in complex or uncertain environments. DE originators liken their approach to the role of research & development in the private sector product development process because it facilitates real-time, or close to real-time, feedback to program staff thus facilitating a continuous development loop.

Michael Quinn Patton is careful to describe this approach as one choice that is responsive to context. This approach is not intended as the solution to every situation.

Development evaluation is particularly suited to innovation, radical program re-design, replication, complex issues, crises

In these situations, DE can help by: framing concepts, test quick iterations, tracking developments, surfacing issues.