A Case in Practice: Facilitating Problem Definition in a Systems Change Approach

Evaluation can be a means for improving challenging problems and transforming systems in addition to determining worth. In the past decade, the field of evaluation has embraced more formative modes of evaluation, including systems thinking and complexity science approaches, that seek to improve a particular problem, situation, or system within which the problem is situated. As such, the evaluator’s initial role may be one that supports interest holders in identifying and defining a problem before seeking to improve it. However, the evaluation literature is limited in studies and discussions about problem definition. Through an illustrative case study, this research demonstrates how to facilitate problem definition in a systems change approach known as Problem-Bound Evaluation. The findings emphasize a need for structured yet flexible facilitation when using the tools and embracing multiple perspectives to understand a problem.