Strategic learning involves using data and insights from various sources, including evaluation, to inform decisions about strategy. Organizations practice strategic learning when they integrate data and evaluative thinking into their work and adapt strategies in response to what they learn. This embeds intelligence gathering and evaluation into the development and implementation of strategies so they influence the process.

1. Strategic Learning Principles and Practices Julia Coffman Center for Evaluation Innovation October 7, 2011

2. Definition Strategic learning is the use of data and insights from a variety of information-gathering approaches—including evaluation—to inform decision making about strategy. It occurs when organizations or groups integrate data and evaluative thinking into their work, and then adapt their strategies in response to what they learn. Strategic learning makes intelligence gathering and evaluation a part of a strategy’s development and implementation—embedding them so they influence the process.

3. 1. Evaluation is a support for strategy. Programs Finance Strategy Government Relations & Legal Affairs Communications Evaluation Operations

4. 2. Evaluation is integrated and conducted in partnership. STRATEGY EVALUATION

5. 3. Evaluation emphasizes context.

6. 4. Evaluation is client-focused.

7. 5. Evaluation places a high value on use, and helps to support it.

8. 6. Evaluation data to inform strategy can come from a wide variety of sources and methods.

9. 7. Evaluation must take place within a culture that encourages risk taking, learning, and adaptation.

10. 8. Evaluation is flexible and timely, ready for the unexpected.

11. 9. Evaluation is constructivist.

12. Do any other principles come to mind?