ChiefNode

Best in Class Evaluation

Evaluation of economic programs is a tricky business. The Stanford Social Innovation Review often has interesting articles. . Drowning in Data is one interesting one about how it is now possible to collect far more data than in the past, but does the data prove "effectiveness?" And will donors trust the data (see this article)? Or will national standards hurt programs with different goals, who appear "the same" (or others want to appear the same)?

While the Stanford-published works focus on traditional non-profits, programs designed for economic impact have similar problems. This excerpt encourages us to move beyond jobs as a measurement for entrepreneurial activity. And while I haven't read it yet, I'm very interested in Scott Shane's new book, The Illusions of Entrepreneurship, to see how we might encourage it -- and discourage it -- where appropriate.

Where do I face this? Since I am no longer Vice President for Metrics & Surveys for AUTM, I have moved onto my local problems: the Portland State Business Accelerator. . .the Portland State Innovation & Industry Alliances office. . .and other national conversations, including one the National Governor's Association is hosting. Given all the activity in the US & abroad in innovation metrics, there is still stuff to do.

Labels: measuring entrepreneurship

posted by Dana Bostrom @ 15:58