Two or three reasons why two are better than one

Evaluations come in many shapes and sizes. I have led multidisciplinary teams in multi-year assignments, and carried out smaller assignments all by myself. Last year was a lucky year, because most of my work happened in one of my favourite configurations: the tandem or duo - as in two competent persons with complementary or partly overlapping skills and knowledge working together as evaluators on an equal or near-equal footing. Two evaluators working together - even if one of them participates for a shorter spell of time than her colleague - means so much more than the sum of two persons' capacities. 

Why internal evaluations need external perspectives

Internal evaluation can be an excellent way to check the quality of one's work, to track progress (in programmes or projects, for instance) and to gather information for management decisions and longer-term learning. To make the most of such exercises, they should go beyond self-reflection. Especially for small to medium-sized teams or organisations, sitting around a table and contemplating one's strengths and weaknesses, as well as successes and failures, is a good start, but just not enough.

Free e-prints of our article on effective evaluation in the field of violence against women and girls

A couple of years ago, Wolfgang Stuppert and I conducted a review on behalf of the UK Department for International Development (DFID) of evaluation methods in the field of violence against women and girls. We used qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), a relatively new method, that has yielded useful insights. You can find plenty of information and links on our dedicated site www.evawreview.de. 

Meanwhile, Development in Practice has published our article on this review. The article is geared to evaluation practitioners - people who commission, conduct and use evaluations. We can share a few free e-prints; if you wish to have one, use this link. First come, first served. When the free lot is used up, you can still view the article on the Taylor and Francis site here and, of course, in the printed publication. 

Our full report is still available from the UK government, for free.