Systemic Evaluation,Impact Evaluation and Logic Models

Abstract

Evaluators are yet to define systemic evaluation adequately. With respect to impact evaluation, systemic evaluators are critical of current methods such as simple logic models, or logframes, for capturing the contextual complexity in which programs operate. Despite a lack of clarity about what constitutes a systemic evaluation, many evaluators are suggesting it is a better alternative for capturing the true complexity of the context in which a program operates. However, capturing complexity is itself complex, resulting in amorphous and ambiguous approaches and results. This can create problems in relation to evaluation capacity building, usability of results, and evaluator credibility. This article demonstrates how methods such as simple logic models or logic models grounded in situational awareness can be an ally in bridging clients' understanding, so that systemic evaluation is not perceived to be new, but rather something that continues to build on past investments.