aes19 International Evaluation Conference

Brendan Rigby (Victorian Government),  Zoe Enticott (Department of Education and Training, Government of Victoria)

The client-consultant relationship has evolved to become an integral part of the delivery of evaluation services for government. There is an increasing need for the expertise, objectivity and capacity that consultancies can bring and contribute to building the evaluation evidence base of what works and what doesn't.

This panel discussion will explore the changing nature of the client-consultant relationship, unpacking the crucial elements of a quality relationship and provide practical examples of how two Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) staff and two external evaluation consultants have worked together to address the anticipated and the unanticipated challenges throughout the delivery of an evaluation.

Moderator will introduce panellists and guide the discussion with key questions, followed by questions from the audience.

• How do you define 'evaluation'? How do you work in partnership to develop a shared understanding of the purpose and value-creation of conducting an evaluation?
• What are the most important factors underpinning a strong client-consultant relationship?
• What power-dynamics are prevalent in the client-consultant relationship and how might these dynamics shift throughout the process of conducting an evaluation?

Moderator: Jess Dart, CEO & Founding Director, Clear Horizon