Uptake (DEPA-MERL)

Speeches Shim

Developmental evaluation (DE) is an approach that supports continuous adaptation in complex environments, and differs from typical evaluations in a few ways: (1) DEs have a Developmental Evaluator embedded alongside the implementation team; (2) DEs emphasize iterative, real-time data collection and regular reflection to support adaptation; (3) DEs are methodologically agnostic and adjust analytical techniques and evaluation questions as the project changes. For more information on DEs, consider reading Developmental Evaluation from Better Evaluation.

Established in 2014, the U.S. Global Development Lab ( “the Lab”) serves as an innovation hub powered by USAID. The Lab is comprised of seven centers and offices who take smart risks to test new ideas and harness the power of innovative app roaches that accelerate development impact. The Lab's mission is two-fold:

  1. To produce breakthrough development innovations by sourcing, testing, and scaling proven solutions to reach hundreds of millions of people.
  2. To accelerate the transformation of the development enterprise by opening development to people everywhere with good ideas, promoting new and deepening existing partnerships, bringing data and evidence to bear, and harnessing scientific and technological advances.

From March 2017 to December 2018, the Lab participated in a developmental evaluation (DE) led by the Developmental Evaluation Pilot Activity (DEPA-MERL). The DE worked with several of the Lab’s teams to learn about the sustained uptake of innovations these teams seek to promote within and beyond USAID.

Date 
Monday, November 30, 2020 - 11:15am