BACKGROUND
_20190902142423_20190927073859.svg)
As interest in clusters has grown amongst companies, practitioners and policy makers, the need for effective evaluation has also risen, not least to be able to show the return on investment from such initiatives. However, cluster measurement and evaluation has long been a source of frustration for policy makers: how to properly capture the impact of the investment in cluster intervention. Evaluation of clusters is thus a complex area, involving different levels and diverse audiences.
TCI acts as a useful vehicle for members to share and discuss approaches to evaluation. Cluster evaluation frameworks need to not only focus on measuring the final outcome (the effect), but also the softer, more qualitative elements, including the benefits of greater trust and collaboration, as well as the process of change.
In order to explore this further the Cluster Evaluation Working Group was formed in 2013 to share experience, capture joint learning, and work together to develop new and better approaches to show the value of collaboration and demonstrate return on investment.
Since then we have met twice a year in different locations around the globe, hosted by TCI members, and bringing together over 100 cluster practitioners, policy makers and researchers to tackle the challenge of evidencing the value of cluster interventions. More recently we have continued to meet, but virtually, extending even further our reach as we discuss and develop this important topic.
