Effective evaluation requires evidence. Documentation and data are the lifeblood of evidence. How can an evidence-based organizational culture balance the need to feed on the artifacts of work and other outputs and still respect the responsibilities of those producing them? How can we collect rich and meaningful data that informs our work and helps us make effective programmatic decisions while reducing respondent burden?

We are a data-hungry yet over-surveyed over-observed over-interviewed generation of workers. While data collection and analysis continue to grow and embed themselves into the fibers of organizational culture until they are indistinguishable from the “work,” are they considered the crabgrass or the crocuses? Insidious or delightful? Do they help or hinder the work? 

Image credit: tejvanphotos via Flickr

Image credit: tejvanphotos via Flickr

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