In honor of Blue Marble Evaluation’s founder, Michael Quinn Patton’s 75th Birthday on September 5, 2020, we invited some of his colleagues, friends and family to sing along to “Sweet MQP” to the tune of Sweet Caroline, by Neil Diamond, one of Michael’s favorite songs. We also invited members and friends to sing Happy Birthday to […]
75th Birthday Tribute to MQP Read More »
The Transformations Systems Mapping and Analysis Working Group (TSM&A WG) is well under way! With over 100 people representing 23 countries, we have created 10 workstreams within the working group on a variety of topics. Each Workstream feature Conveners and Fellows and several held their first convenings over the past few weeks: the Scorecards workstream
Transformation Systems Mapping & Analysis WorkGroup Update Read More »
The cross network Working Group focused on building the field of Transformations Systems Mapping & Analysis – has launched with over 80 members representing 22 countries has launched with great enthusiasm. There are 13 different “workstreams” that cover a wide range of thematic areas. Each workstream has a “Convener” and “Fellow” so keep an eye
Systems Transformation Mapping & Analysis WorkGroup is Launching Read More »
I’ve been doing evaluations and writing about the evaluation profession for nearly 50 years. For the last decade, I’ve been writing about evaluation under conditions of complexity (Developmental Evaluation) and global systems transformations (Blue Marble Evaluation). I’ve been getting queries from colleagues young and old, novice evaluators and long-time practitioners, asking how I’m making sense
Evaluation Implications of the Coronavirus Global Health Pandemic Emergency Read More »
With lockdowns and stay home orders spanning the globe to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, we’ve all been spending an awful lot of time on Zoom these days. I know I have. Even my 2 and 6 year olds have. And now the language of “zoomed out” has become commonplace. I think we are all feeling
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day by Zooming Out and Zooming In Read More »
On April 21, 2020, the Asia Pacific Evaluation Association hosted a webinar where they asked Michael Quinn Patton to explore the implications of the novel coronavirus for evaluation. The recording of the webinar can be found here. The webinar generated lively discussion among participants. Below are some of the questions and comments shared in the chat during the
One of the best methods for understanding transformations systems is the process of mapping them. There are a wide range of methods but there have been few attempts to document all current mapping methods and to understand when to use one type of mapping methods vs. another and more importantly to determine how to integrate
Transformation Systems Mapping & Analysis Group Read More »
Despite not being able to be held in person, the swell of online activity around International Mother Earth Day this year, the movement’s 50th anniversary, demonstrates just how much we are connected to one another – no matter where on earth we are. Now, more than ever, this landmark event calls on us to think and act systemically
Aftermath of the 50th Anniversary of the Blue Marble (Earth) Day Read More »
Webinar Recording available here. Webinar FAQ responses available here. PowerPoint: The presentation is a work in progress, so the PowerPoint is a work in progress. The webinar recording is available but the PP is not ready for dissemination. I’m working on an article that will be published later this year. That will have the full, polished presentation. But that
Evaluation Criteria for Transformation Webinar Summary Read More »
In August of last summer, in Portland Maine, I wanted to know if people were interested in the idea of transformations systems mapping and analysis. So, I brought together leaders in Blue Marble Evaluation as well as experts in systems mapping for a design charrette on this topic – and to see if anybody cared,
Blue Marble Evaluation Featured at Esri Geodesign Conference Read More »
