NCJ Number
50765
Date Published
1978
Length
22 pages
Annotation
EVALUATION IS DISCUSSED AS ONE ELEMENT IN THE URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING PROCESS THAT IMPLIES STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVES.
Abstract
GOAL FORMULATION INFLUENCES EVALUATION, AND EVALUATION CAN BE SEEN ONLY IN TERMS OF GOAL FORMULATION. FOR THIS REASON, A SYSTEMIC PLANNING PROCESS ENCOMPASSES TWO MAJOR STREAMS OF ENDEAVOR: ONE CONCERNED WITH SYSTEM DESCRIPTION, SYSTEM MODELING, AND PROJECTION OF ALTERNATIVES; AND ANOTHER EMPHASIZING GOAL-EVALUATION RELATIONSHIPS AND CYCLICAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE TWO STREAMS. TECHNOLOGICAL FEASIBILITY AND FEASIBILITY IN TERMS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS ARE SIGNIFICANT IN SYSTEM OR PROGRAM EVALUATION. ASPECTS OF POLICIES AND PLANS THAT SHOULD BE TESTED IN ANY EVALUATION INCLUDE FEASIBILITY, EFFECTIVENESS, LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE, RESOURCES, CONSERVATION, INCIDENCE, AND UNCERTAINTY. PROGRAM BUDGETING, COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS, AND MATRIX METHODS ARE WAYS OF EVALUATING. THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY CONCERNED WITH THE JUDGMENT OF A PREFERRED SYSTEM OR PROGRAM AMONG ALTERNATIVES OF THE SAME GENERAL KIND. EVALUATION IS A CREATIVE AS WELL AS A FUNDAMENTAL ANALYTICAL TOOL FOR CONSIDERING OBJECTIVES OF THE PLANNING PROCESS. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)