Strategic Evaluation Blog

See more posts from the Strategic Evaluation blog

This blog contains posts on the Strategic Evaluation approach at FSG.

Linking Social Media to Social Change

Posted by: Katelyn Mack on 5/8/2013

How can foundations get smarter about how they invest in social media strategies to drive social change?

Can Big Data Be Friends With Evaluation?

Posted by: Shijie Lu on 4/30/2013

In October 2012, we wrote a blog post titled, “Big Data and the Social Sector: Let the Revolution Begin!” In it, we posited that the use of big data revolution in the social sector is closer than we think; however, social sector stakeholders have to effectively address concerns around privacy, accuracy, and reliability. In the ensuing months, the chatter around use of big data in the social sector has exploded to a full-throated roar. Markets for Good has run a series of blog posts on the topic, as has the Skoll World Forum and the UN Global Pulse. The tone has ranged from wide-eyed wonderment to skepticism to downright hostility. Everyone, it appears, has an opinion.

What Are the Products of a Developmental Evaluation?

Posted by: Strategic Evaluation on 4/24/2013

If it is not a report – what is it? One of the concrete products of many evaluations is a written report. This is not always the case for Developmental Evaluation – a new approach to evaluating social innovation.

What Does Developmental Evaluation Look Like?

Posted by: Katelyn Mack on 4/10/2013

If you are entrepreneurial and a thrill seeker then evaluating social innovation is for you! It is like getting into a pontoon to shoot the rapids on river - fast paced, unpredictable, with the funder, grantees and the evaluators all in the same boat.

Listen First, Speak Later

Posted by: Katelyn Mack on 4/1/2013

Most people I meet know the virtue of being a good listener. It’s at or near the top of every list of “habits” and “tips” for being a successful leader, colleague, and friend. In practice, however, listening can get overrun by tasks and to-do’s. We all need to get stuff done – and that means making decisions quickly and decisively, and taking swift action.