The Power of Commissioning

Overview & Synopsis

Far more than a contractual step, commissioning shapes what is evaluated, whose voices matter and how evidence informs democratic governance. The Power of Commissioning: Enabling Democratic Evaluation brings long-overdue attention to this influential yet often- overlooked dimension of evaluation practice. Positioning commissioners as civic and political actors, the book shows how their choices, from problem framing and terms of reference to team selection, management and use can either reinforce technocratic routines or actively promote inclusion, transparency, equity and meaningful public learning. Drawing on comparative empirical cases, it offers one of the first integrated frameworks for democratic commissioning, complete with practical principles, rubrics and clear “dos and don’ts” that commissioners can apply directly in real systems. The volume also advances a pioneering competency model for commissioners and documents innovative capacity- building initiatives that treat them as knowledge brokers and democratic agents, an area largely absent from existing evaluation guidance. Featuring contributions from leading scholars and practitioners in the field, The Power of Commissioning provides both conceptual depth and actionable tools. It is an essential resource for researchers, policymakers, evaluators and commissioning professionals committed to strengthening democratic practice through evaluation.