Building Principle-Based Strategic Learning: Insights From Practice

Abstract

Strategic learning enables greater impact and improved outcomes in mission-driven organizations. At its core, strategic learning is simply the process of building evidence and reflection into the strategy process in meaningful ways, so that decisions can be improved (e.g., Coffman & Beer, 2011). In recent years, learning has emerged as central to conversations about the intersection of evaluation and strategy (Preskill, 2017). Yet, foundations have struggled to create practices and behaviors that effectively support organizational learning, including learning about strategy. With a growing cadre of foundation staff with responsibilities that cut across strategy, evaluation, and learning, the topic of strategic learning is ripe for strengthening.