Michael Quinn Patton

Michael Quinn Patton, an independent organizational development and program evaluation consultant, and former president of the American Evaluation Association, is renowned for founding Utilization-Focused Evaluation.
With a sociology doctorate from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he spent 18 years at the University of Minnesota, holding key positions.
Patton emphasizes practical utility in evaluations, advocating for meaningful designs over lengthy reports. In his book “Developmental Evaluation,” he explores the role of evaluation in complex and evolving environments, focusing on articulating visions, reality testing, and providing real-time feedback. This approach proves particularly valuable in social innovation, prioritizing emergent goals and dynamic learning.