What works? How evaluation can cross boundaries to influence public policy and management

Evaluation as a function has struggled to be seen as relevant to public policy decision makers. This session suggests that evaluation efforts need to adopt a realistic and pragmatic approach to help public and NGO decision makers to learn and understand what works (to what extent) for whom in what conditions and why in terms of initiatives.

Panel members include:

1. Mr. Steve Montague, Performance Management Network Inc.
2. Information-Insight-Improvement
3. Dr. Isabelle Bourgeois,  Professeure, École nationale d’administration publique
4. Mr. Marc Gagne, Senior Evaluator, National Research Council of Canada
5. Ms. Suzanne Lafortune, Partner, Performance Management Network
6. Ms. Mary Kay Lamarche, National Board Member, Canadian Evaluation Society
7. Ms. Cheryl Anne Parsons, Senior Research Associate Volunteer, Performance Management Network
8. Mr. Eric Seraphim, Senior Evaluation Manager, Canadian Food inspection Agency
9. Ms. Anca Serban, Evaluation Analyst, Health Canada
10. Ms. Jane Whynot,  Partner, Whynot Associates

The session will demonstrate and collectively examine what we know about different policy instruments (e.g. carrots, sticks and sermons etc) applied in different areas (e.g. industrial innovation, food safety, policy programs, energy efficiency, health and the mentoring of evaluation professionals) and delivered via different implementation designs (e.g. single agency delivery, delivery partnerships, contribution to intermediaries etc.).

The demonstration will:

1. illustrate findings which participants can use in their practice,
2. demonstrate an approach to using research on context, theories of change and policy instrument types to generatively learn about the influence of policies and programs on results and to advise public managers on the important factors to consider when planning and implementing initiatives.
3. show how structured research on context and theories of change can practically and cost-effectively help analysts to plan, implement and analyze evaluation studies.

Make sure you don’t miss this session on Monday in the British Columbia room, Main Mezzanine at 3.15 pm!

Share this post!

•