Insights & Publications

Articles, reflections, and thought leadership on evaluation, policy, and development systems

June 09, 2026

Five Myths That Quietly Ruin MERL Systems

Each is plausible enough to survive casual conversation and damaging enough to ruin programmes when it settles into organisational culture.

June 10, 2026

A Theory of Change Is a Negotiation, Not a Diagram

The most valuable theories of change are not drafted by a consultant in a hotel room. They are argued into existence by the people who will have to live with them.

August 08, 2026

Without Criteria, Evaluation Is Just Opinion

The six OECD-DAC criteria are a shared vocabulary, not a checklist. Used as a menu, they discipline judgement. Used as a checklist, they produce thin findings or unread reports.

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