“Best practices are recipes that prescribe exactly what to do regardless of context. The very designation as “best” makes them context-free. Meanwhile, the language of “best practices” has become so pervasive and the desire to be engaged in something that qualifies as a “best practice” is so politically attractive that some so-called best practices are no more than a successful local approach to a widespread problem whose enthusiasts believe that what worked in their own little pond would certainly work in other ponds, even in the ocean.”

Bron: Patton MQ (2011) Developmental Evaluation – applying complexity concepts to enhance innovation and use. New York: The Guilford Press. p.155