Course Overview

Evaluators often feel boxed in by a single approach. In practice, real evaluations call for multiple lenses, for example theory-driven design alongside appreciative inquiry, experimental methods alongside culturally responsive practice, or complexity-aware approaches alongside more traditional evaluation models. This course introduces “framework weaving,” a practical way to intentionally combine evaluation models, theories, approaches, and methods so your design stays coherent, relevant, and useful.

In this course, you will explore why and when blending makes sense, what strong blending looks like, and how to apply a repeatable process to your own work.

What You Will Learn

You will learn how to make deliberate choices about which frameworks to use, and how to integrate them without creating a confusing or conflicting design. You will explore common weaving patterns and the themes that make blended designs work well. You will also practice using a clear process for combining frameworks, anticipating challenges, and strengthening the quality and usefulness of the final evaluation plan.

Course Format

This course is delivered in three live, virtual, instructor-led modules (or 1.5 days in person). Participants who complete all three modules receive a certificate of completion.

Module Breakdown

Module 1: The Value of Blending Approaches and Frameworks
You will compare different framework use cases and identify what makes them effective. You will explore which frameworks naturally complement each other and where blended designs add value across the evaluation cycle.

Module 2: A Deep Dive on Blended Approaches
You will work through a case example that shows framework weaving in action. You will then practice constructing an evaluation plan that blends frameworks and begin assessing the quality of a blended design.

Module 3: Applying Blended Approaches to Your Work
You will apply the weaving process to a real or hypothetical evaluation. You will draft a blended evaluation plan, present key choices, and receive feedback. You will also identify common challenges and learn practical strategies to address them.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for evaluators, evaluation managers, and commissioners who want more flexibility in design and a clearer way to combine approaches while protecting rigor, coherence, and use.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required. Familiarity with basic evaluation planning is helpful, but not necessary.