Appreciative Evaluation: Focusing on Strengths

By its very nature, evaluation tends to be focused on identifying weaknesses. This is helpful, to be sure, but it misses the equally important component of celebrating strengths. Innovation and adaptation are critical in international extension education, and failing to celebrate strengths can make programs less effective. So, turning evaluation around and using it to be appreciative of accomplishments is a powerful adjustment.

New Approaches to Evaluation

• More and more evaluation programs are recognizing the value of using innovative approaches.

• A range of evaluation methods are now explored by extension professionals and funders. Seeing evaluation as only an external process is a perspective that is now being challenged regularly.

• Appreciative inquiry is showing how important it is to highlight strengths and successes instead of the traditional approach of only looking for weaknesses.

Shifting Focus: Appreciating Success

• Evaluation is often centered only on problem-solving, but research is suggesting that this orientation might not lead to ideal outcomes.

• When strengths are both understood and celebrated, programs can become more effective over time.

• Evaluators have the opportunity to leverage existing successes and lean into further growth by focusing on what works well instead of what comes up short.

Application to International Extension Education

• There is considerable promise to be seen when the principles of appreciative evaluation are applied to international extension education.

• Extension work is a collaborative endeavor. As appreciative inquiry places an emphasis on stakeholder involvement and participatory processes, it aligns with this orientation nicely.

• Volunteers can feel empowered and motivated to drive further program success when the strengths of a given program are highlighted.

Unintended Outcomes

• Among many benefits, another advantage of utilizing appreciative evaluation is how it can uncover outcomes and impacts that were not originally targeted.

• This approach is also highly useful when resources are limited. It allows for identifying opportunities where additional investments can be made thanks to its inherently flexible framework.

• Appreciative evaluation fosters adaptability and innovation by leaning into the dynamic nature of programmatic outcomes.

International extension educators are always aiming for excellent outcomes. This means not always sticking with the status quo and sometimes exploring innovative evaluation approaches. Appreciative evaluation can lead to continuous improvement and make extension programs around the world more effective. Please take a moment to add your comments below. Please share your thoughts using the comments below.

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Lamm, A. J., & Lamm, K. W. (2018). Considering an appreciative approach to international extension evaluation. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 25(4), 74-82. https://newprairiepress.org/jiaee/vol25/iss4/6/