Professional development workshops

Evaluating complex systems initiatives (02) [EN]

Beverly Parsons, InSites; Margaret Hargreaves, Mathematica Policy Research

May 2, 2010, 9:00am - 4:00pm - Intermediate - 40 seats

Are you uncertain about how to evaluate interventions in complex systems? Are you confused by terms such as 'systems theory', 'systems dynamics', 'systems thinking', 'complex systems', and 'complex adaptive systems' as well as their relevance to evaluation?

Join us in the exploration of how to select and apply systems concepts to evaluation methods in ways that address issues of complexity. After focusing on systems concepts generally, we will focus on four types of human system dynamics – random (unorganized), simple, complicated (organized), and complex adaptive (self-organizing). Understanding these dynamics provides a basis for designing your evaluation of complex situations. This session provides a framework and practical tools to help evaluators and evaluation users determine how to intervene in complex systems. The workshop provides an opportunity to learn to apply the concepts and tools in interaction with colleagues through the use of case studies and your own situations.

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