Using responsive evaluation in strategic management

Program and policy evaluation is a key component of strategic management. Managers and other leaders need to know "what works" to determine if strategic priorities are being achieved. In the 21st century, managers are required to have a broad range of knowledge and skill sets to support business development and to establish and maintain strategic priorities. In our efforts to ensure that our evaluative work is "evidence-based" and "scientific" we may overlook those evaluative approaches and models which do not necessarily align with the traditional, positivist approach to program and policy evaluation. Managers should be aware of alternative approaches to program and policy evaluation to ensure that methods are able to capture the complexity of the social phenomenon which is inherent to every program and policy. This paper makes a case for using Responsive Evaluation and provides an overview of its development, application, and strengths.