Evidence-Based Decision Making

Colorado policymakers have two new resources for use during the legislative session. “Cue cards”’ were developed by the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab, providing legislators with an easy to use set of questions to promote dialogue and advance evidence-based decision making.

We’re pleased to share the new report, Promoting Evidence-Based Decision-Making in Colorado State Government: From Vision to Implementation and an Executive Summary. The report outlines four strategic goals to guide implementation of the EBDM vision over a span of five years.

Each January, SMART Act hearings provide a key opportunity to demonstrate the high value Colorado places on EBDM in state government. To support this process, the Colorado Lab developed a cue card with a menu of possible questions legislative committee members can ask agencies during SMART Act hearings.

A newly created evidence portfolio process supports the consistent application of Evidence-Based Decision-Making by state agencies during budget and policy decision-making. State agencies can use this tool to apply evidence to drive outcomes, leverage data to inform learning and action, and build evidence on what works and for whom, while promoting innovation.

With a clear, shared understanding of what Evidence-Based Decision-Making (EBDM) is, the next step in creating an EBDM culture is for decision-makers, agency leadership, and staff to commit to routinely using the EBDM approach, consistent with each of their roles.