Abstract Information: The phrase "knowledge is power" is widely attributed to Sir Francis Bacon, whose development of the scientific method revolutionized the approach to acquiring knowledge about the world. The scientific revolution, in which Bacon played a key role, brought about significant changes in the methods and approaches used to generate knowledge, elevating reason as a powerful source of authority. In contemporary times, the field of evaluation is in need of novel methods and approaches that can re-envision our shared understanding of what constitutes both knowledge and power. This presentation will draw upon various knowledge management frameworks and case study examples from iDE to demonstrate the importance of tacit knowledge and its relevance to more inclusive and participatory evaluation approaches in the context of international development. The presentation will explore diverse ways in which evaluators can pause and reflect to generate knowledge that is grounded in lived experience, including the use of after-action reviews, most significant stories of change, and iDE's novel approach to locally-led storytelling. By transforming tacit knowledge into compelling lessons learned, practitioners can share more engaging narratives that have the potential to inspire target audiences to act on evaluation findings.
Relevance Statement: This presentation topic is highly relevant and important to the field of evaluation, as it addresses the need for new methods and approaches that reimagine our shared understanding of what constitutes both knowledge and power. This is especially important in the context of international development, where traditional evaluation methods often fail to capture the nuanced and complex nature of program impact and may exclude the perspectives of marginalized groups. The presentation provides a theoretical framework for understanding the importance of tacit knowledge in evaluation and draws upon practical case study examples from iDE to demonstrate how this knowledge can be transformed into compelling stories that promote learning and adaptive management. By utilizing after-action reviews, most significant stories of change, and locally-led stories, evaluators can generate knowledge grounded in lived experience and provide a more complete understanding of program impact. The proposal adds to knowledge in the evaluation field by highlighting the potential of storytelling as a means of communicating complex data and capturing and conveying tacit knowledge. It also reflects relevant standards of quality in evaluation theory and practice by advocating for more inclusive and participatory evaluation approaches that prioritize the voices and experiences of program clients (beneficiaries). The presentation's value to the audience lies in its practical guidance on how to transform tacit knowledge into powerful stories that inspire and motivate target audiences to act on evaluation findings. This involves the transformation of tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge by formulating lessons learned that champion and reflect lived experience. To produce a more compelling story, these lessons learned must state a claim, provide evidence for that claim, explain why it matters, and provide recommendations. The case study examples from iDE demonstrate how these approaches have been successfully applied in the context of international development, offering a model for evaluators working in other fields and contexts.
