This chapter is a theoretical work which outlines the context in which evaluation practice has evolved over the last 10 years. It has been used as a resource by the Cabinet Office. Its focus is on the way in which evaluation has been re-positioned within policy environments. It draws upon unpublished material associated with the way in which evaluations have been used in policy environments. The editors are distinguished evaluators who draw upon their experience of policy formation and the role evaluation within it using narrative scenarios and text based resources for the analysis. Stern is responsible for 60% of the output. RAE_import_type : Chapter in book RAE_uoa_type : Education