Collected Resources: Integrating Co-design and Evaluative Practice

Integration of evaluative tools and mindsets into co-design and social innovation work is critical for understanding and increasing social impact in complex and sensitive settings. We are still learning and developing what best practice looks like in this space and the Lab is involved in a number of efforts to build our own capability and that of our partners. The resources and links below are from our collaborations on this topic with RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Geoff Stone from Ripple Collective.


Design for Social Innovation Impact Evaluation Study, RMIT, 2017

A Discussion Paper produced by RMIT that explores the relationship between design, culture and evaluation. The Lab and TSI were contributors and partners in this research exploration.


Co-design and evaluation for social innovation AES Workshops, Australian Evaluation Conference (Sept 2018)

A workshop for designers and evaluators, exploring the convergence between design and evaluative practice for social innovation Co-design and evaluation for social innovation. In addition to the slides, tools used in the workshop included the Praxis Petal, Design & Evaluation Prompt Cards and 9 points to Consider.


Co-design meets evaluation: creating convergence - Aotearoa New Zealand Evaluation (ANZEA) Conference (Aug 2018)

A workshop by Penny Hagen (The Lab) and Geoff Stone (Ripple Ripple Research Design and Evaluation Ltd): Co-design meets evaluation: Creating convergence for social innovation and social impact. In addition to the slides, tools used in the workshop included the Praxis Petal, Design & Evaluation Prompt Cards and 9 points to Consider.


Praxis Petal

This tool helps people to locate, reflect on and share dimensions of their practice, mapping their journey across the different spaces of the petal, and talking about what shapes their world and practice. We have used the petal to support conversation and reflection, as well as mirrored the petal in physical space and invited people to locate themselves in different parts of the petal, sharing and talking to others who are close or far away. This can be a useful way of helping practitioners locate themselves at the beginning or end of workshops.

Developed by Geoff Stone of Ripple Research Design and Evaluation and Penny Hagen


Design & Evaluation Prompt Cards

Connecting design and evaluation practice is a key part of social innovation. These tools help teams to explore the connections, they are intended to support generative discussion and help evaluators and designers find connections between their practice. 

Whether the activities on the cards belong to “design” or “evaluation” depends on people’s perspective and experience - they can be used to facilitate discussion about similarities, differences and overlaps as well as familiarise teams with each others practice.


9 points to Consider - Design and Evaluation Convergence

These nine points highlight the overlap between design and evaluation, and where evaluative practice can help

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