This working paper addresses the gaps and opportunities between the approaches of traditional public sector and NGO program evaluation and the social impact measurement approaches of new market-oriented players.
The authors posit that a convergence of these cultures would generate enormous rewards for both constituencies. New methodologies, evaluative tools and strategic learning processes would enrich social impact work, private giving and public-private partnerships. More nimble and business-like evaluation approaches would benefit traditional evaluation players and civil society. Thus bridging the divide would contribute to the rigor and utility of methods and practices and advance the effectiveness of evaluation everywhere.