How can development organizations improve their use of evidence?

Abstract

Development organizations are under pressure to learn from and use the growing body of evidence in order to deliver aid that works. Many have started fostering an evidence-orientation in their strategies, policies and operational practices. However, these commendable efforts often underestimate the institutional challenges organizations face when trying to integrate evidence into their daily business. To address these challenges, organization leadership should take full responsibility for strengthening knowledge management. A set of institutional measures, including applying evidence principles during project selection and approval, hiring cross-culturally trained knowledge translators and setting up a management approach connecting evidence mobilizers and policy-makers, can facilitate evidence use in decision-making.