Reflective Practice: Moving Intention into Action

Reflection is a pillar of professional practice and can enable evaluators to expand their assumptions, change behaviour, and align practice with their values and beliefs. Reflective Practice is the first domain in the Canadian Evaluation Society’s Competencies for Evaluation Practice, highlighting the importance of professional awareness and growth. However, the literature offers few tools to move refl ective thought into action. The authors developed a personalized reflective approach through a mentoring relationship and the innovative use of a smartphone. Meaningful refl ective practice can leverage personal experience, practical tools, and regular dialogue with a significant other to expand assumptions and change behaviour.