Rapid Evaluation Approaches for Complex Initiatives

This paper addresses the challenges of conducting rapid evaluations in widely varying circumstances, from small-scale process improvement projects to complex, system transformation initiatives. Rapid approaches designed to evaluate projects at lower levels of complexity do not take into account the inter-organizational aspects of more complex initiatives, especially those designed to build capacity and integrate activities across organizations, sectors, and levels. Providing a framework that recognizes key differences in the scope and complexity of interventions helps to advance implementation science beyond a program-centric focus on process and organizational improvements to encompass a whole systems approach.