The evaluation process: resistance, politics and role

TIHR Lunchtime talk by Giorgia Iacopini – 24 September 2014

Transcript

1. A REFLECTION ON THE EVALUATION PROCESS Exploring resistance and role Lunchtime talk, 24th September 2014
2. What I will cover ¨  How can we explain resistance to evaluation? ¨  How can it manifest itself during an evaluation process? ¨  What impact can it have on the evaluator’s role? ¨  What strategies can be helpful in managing resistance? ¨  Some conclusions
3. A framework for exploring resistance Systems thinking in evaluation OD theories of ‘phases’ and roles Control, fear, anxiety
4. How can we explain resistance to evaluation? Evaluator system Client system Evaluation system Intervention Reaction Wider context
5. How can it manifest itself during an evaluation process? …with particular reference to entry and contracting & initial implementation of the work ¨  Resistance can emerge through conversations about: ¤ The boundaries of ‘testing’ ¤ Access to parts of the ‘system’ ¤ Ways of working ¨  What can happen to role?
7. An analysis of the challenge The inherently challenging nature of entry and contracting activities: ¨  Multiple activities and a variety of roles; ¨  Power, negotiation and the political nature of the client/evaluator interaction; ¨  Feelings, conflict emerge as a feature of the task of defining, and contracting, the work;
8. An analysis of the challenge ¨  The impact of the wider context; ¨  Perceived loss of control? e.g. observation by external people; ¨  Reaction to uncertainty
9. The shift… ¨  What is the pattern of interaction? ¨  What am I being drawn into? ¨  What am I here to be the frame for?
10. Strategies to manage resistance ¨  Provide regular feedback over the course of the evaluation ¨  Enable stakeholders to influence the evaluation ¨  Understand the source of concern ¨  Continue to “model behaviour” ¨  Facilitate learning
11. Some conclusions ¨  Beginnings are important ¨  It’s not just about the technical skills ¨  Resistance to evaluation doesn’t have to (shouldn’t?) be a burden ¨  Make use of each other…. ¨  Be prepared to move between different roles
12. Points for further discussion… ¨  Are there any evaluator roles that potentially conflict with each other? ¨  Does the adoption of strategies to minimise evaluation anxiety throughout the evaluation process lead to increased evaluator influence (e.g. higher utilisation of findings)?