aes24 International Evaluation Conference

Authors: Shefton Parker, Monash Univeristy; Amanda Sampson, Monash Univeristy

Increasingly, turbulent, and rapidly changing global operating environments are disrupting organisational plan implementation and strategy realisation of institutions. The session introduces a novel organisational collaborative strategic learning and effectiveness model, intended to bolster organisational resilience responses amidst such turbulence.
A scarcity of suitable organisational strategic learning systems thinking models utilising evaluation methodology in a joined-up way, prompted the presenters to develop a model. The model is tailored for strategic implementation in a complex organisational system environment, operating across decentralised portfolios with multiple planning and operational layers. The model amalgamates evaluation methodologies to identify, capture, share and respond to strategic learning in a complex system. It is hypothesised the model will outperform conventional organisational performance-based reporting systems, in terms of organisational responsiveness, agility, adaptability, collaboration, and strategic effectiveness.
The presentation highlights the potential value of integrating and embedding evaluation approaches into an organisation's strategy, governance and operations using a three-pronged approach:
- Sensing: Gathering relevant, useful timely data (learning);
- Making sense: Analysing and contextualising learning data alongside other relevant data (institutional performance data, emerging trends, policy, and legislative reform etc); and
- Good sense decisions: Providing timely and relevant evaluative intelligence and insights to support evidence based good decision making.
The presenters advocate for a shift from viewing evaluation use as a 'nice to have' to a 'must have' aspect of organisational growth and sustainability. The model aims to foster a leadership culture where decision makers value the insights that contextualised holistic organisational intelligence can provide for;

i) Strategic planning: Enhanced planning and strategic alignment across portfolios;

ii) Operational efficiency: Reducing duplication in strategic effort and better collaboration towards strategic outcomes;

iii) Business resilience and sustainability: Improved identification and quicker response to emerging opportunities and challenges; and

iv) Strategic effectiveness: Informing activity adaptation recommendations for strategic goal realisation.

Authors: Penny Baldock (Department of Human Services South Australia ),Jessie Sleep (Far West Community Partnerships, AU)

The multi-jurisdictional South Australian Safety and Wellbeing Taskforce is the lead mechanism, and the accountable body to develop strategies and sustainable, place-based responses that ensure the safety and wellbeing of remote Aboriginal Visitors in Adelaide and other regional centres in the State.

This presentation discusses the challenges of establishing an evaluative learning strategy for the Taskforce that meets the needs of multiple government agencies and stakeholders, multiple regional and remote communities, and multiple nation groups.

In a complex system, this is a learning journey, requiring us to adapt together to seek new ways of understanding and working that truly honour the principles of data sovereignty, community self-determination, and shared decision-making.
As we begin to more truly centre communities as the locus of control, and consider the far- reaching reform that will be necessary to deliver on our commitments under Closing the Gap, this presentation provides an important reflection on the skills, knowledge and expertise that will be required to build evaluation systems and processes that support change.

One of the most exciting developments to date has been the establishment of a multi-agency data sharing agreement, which will enable government data to be shared with Far West Community Partnerships, a community change organisation based in Ceduna, and combined with their community owned data in order to drive and inform the Far West Change Agenda.

We present the story of our journey so far, our successes, our failures, and extend an invitation to be part of the ongoing conversation. to support the change required for evaluation success.

Authors: Samantha Abbato (Visual Insights People), Lisa Stafford (University of Tasmania, AU)

Researchers from fields including public health, community, and disability have been utilising film methods such as participatory video and digital storytelling for decades. Co-creation of film narratives for evaluation can engage participants as unique people with lived experiences connected to social and cultural worlds and relationships, including their connection with the community. Evaluation has been reluctant to adopt participatory film methods.

Virtual Reality (VR) animation presents a distinctly participatory approach to evaluation data collection and a new lens for communicating findings. It places the participant in the driver's seat and the evaluation audience, in the passenger seat, alongside them. Using VR stories can increase the potential for the intended audience, including decision-makers, to deeply engage with the information communicated through focused immersion in participant stories using familiarity of local settings.

We present a case study examining the process of collaborating with young people with disabilities to tell their stories of inclusion in Tasmania, Australia. Three young people participated in online storyboarding and script-writing workshops over twelve months to develop short stories of everyday experiences in their community. An introduction to the particpants and their stories, the three completed stories, and a collaborative call to action were made into a set of five connected VR short films. The films were displayed as a report on a website page and for viewing as a complete VR story on a headset.

The presenters examine the process of applying this new VR digital storytelling approach to participatory evaluation. The challenges and benefits of the approach for participants and its impact on the intended audience, including urban planning and design students, are discussed. Using the lessons learned from the case study, recommendations for evaluators considering using participatory digital storytelling and VR animation are made.

Authors: Charlotte Bell (Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS)), Lorelei Hine (ANROWS, AU), Elizabeth Watt (ANROWS, AU), Rhiannon Smith (ANROWS, AU)

The first of its kind in Australia, the Evidence Portal is an innovative tool that captures and assesses impact evaluations of interventions from high-income countries that aim to address and end violence against women.

While we know high-quality evaluation evidence is an important component in informing and influencing policy and practice, decision-makers face a variety of potential barriers in accessing this evidence. By providing a curated repository of existing research, evidence portals can support policymakers, practitioners, and evaluators in their decision-making.

Our Evidence Portal consolidates and synthesises impact evaluation evidence via: (1) Evidence and Gap Maps, which provide a big-picture, visual overview of interventions; and (2) Intervention Reviews, which provide a succinct, standardised assessment of interventions in accessible language. Underpinned by a rigorous systematic review methodology, this tool seeks to:

• Identify existing impact evaluations and gaps in the evidence base, and
• promote a collective understanding of the nature and effectiveness of interventions that aim to address violence against women

Key points: This presentation will showcase the creation, benefits, and drawbacks of the Evidence Portal, with a focused discussion on the following areas:

• What are evidence portals and how are they used to inform policy and practice?
• Why and how was this evidence portal created?
• What are the challenges in creating this tool and the learnings to date?
• What other 'ways of knowing' should be considered?

This presentation begins with an in-depth exploration of the Evidence Portal and the important methodological decisions taken to build this tool. It then offers a reflection on our journey of creating this tool with a focus on significant learnings to date. You will gain an understanding of the Evidence Portal and key considerations for future evaluations of violence against women interventions.

Authors: Rachel Wilks (Grosvenor), Kristy Hornby (Grosvenor), Sarika Bhana (Grosvenor)

What is evaluation? Better Evaluation defines it as "any systematic process to judge merit, worth or significance by combining evidence and values". Many government organisations and some private and not-for-profit entities use evaluations as an auditing tool to measure how well their programs are delivering against intended outcomes and impacts and achieving value for money. This lends itself to viewing evaluation as an audit or 'tick-box' exercise when it is really measuring the delivery of an organisation's mandate or strategy (or part thereof). Viewing evaluation more as an audit than a core part of continuous improvement presents a risk of our reports collecting dust.

During this session, we will discuss factors that build a continuous improvement mindset across evaluation teams, as well as across the broader organisation. This will include exploring how to manage the balance between providing independent advice with practical solutions that program owners and other decision-makers can implement more readily, as well as how to obtain greater buy-in to evaluation practice. We present the features that evaluations should have to ensure findings and conclusions can be easily translated into clear actions for improvement.

We contend that it is important to consider evaluation within the broader organisational context, considering where this might link to strategy or how it may be utilised to provide evidence to support funding bids. This understanding will help to ensure evaluations are designed and delivered in a way that best supports the wider organisation.

We end by sharing our post-evaluation playbook - a practical tool to help take your evaluations from pesky paperweight to purposeful pathway.

Authors: Julie Elliott (Independent Evaluator), Jill Thomas (J.A Thomas & Associates, AU), Martina Donkers (Independent Evaluator, AU)

Mentors and mentees from the AES Group Mentoring Program share rich experiences of group learning, knowledge sharing, and reflective practice, exploring the Wayfinding skills, knowledge, and expertise they have found through the program and the valuable lessons learned.

AES remains committed to mentoring, and this session provides a unique opportunity to hear perspectives across the mentoring spectrum, from Fellows to emerging evaluators, and the ways that sharing our professional practice enhances our work. Since 2021, the AES Group Mentoring Program has been a trailblazer in fostering professional growth and competencies for emerging and mid-career evaluators, enabling mentors and peers to help navigate unfamiliar territories, incorporating various tools and strategies.

Our dynamic panel will discuss how evaluators have adapted their approaches to mentoring and to evaluation practice with the support of the program. It's a session where personal and professional growth intersect and will offer a unique perspective on the transformative power of mentorship.

This discussion is for evaluators who are passionate about learning - both their own and that of other AES members! Whether you're a seasoned professional eager to contribute to your community, an emerging talent or a mid-career evaluator navigating contemporary evaluation ecosystems, this session is for you. Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from mentors and mentees who value the shared, continuous journey of social learning and adaptation.