PROGRAM EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS - A TECHNICAL GUIDE FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

• NCJ Number: 50945
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 67 pages
• Contract Number(s): 2237
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Housing and Urban Development
• Corporate Author: Public Technology, Inc
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A PROCEDURAL GUIDE CONTAINING TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES OF PROGRAM EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS IS OFFERED FOR ADMINISTRATORS, ANALYSTS, AND STAFF WHO DIRECTLY CONDUCT EVALUATIONS AND ANALYSES.

Abstract

THIS GUIDE DESCRIBES EACH EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS TASK IN STEP-BY-STEP DETAIL, PROVIDES SELECTED DOCUMENTATION, AND OFFERS OPTIONS FOR ADAPTING THESE STEPS TO LOCAL CONDITIONS. THE MATERIAL IS ORGANIZED INTO FOUR MAJOR CATEGORIES: (1) PREPARATORY TASKS, (2) PROGRAM EVALUATION, (3) PROGRAM ANALYSIS, AND (4) FOLLOWUP PROCEDURES. THE FIRST SECTION DISCUSSES SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS FOR EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS, DEFINITION OF THE PROJECT SCOPE, AND PREPARATION OF A PROJECT WORK PLAN. INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED FOR CHOOSING THE PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS, UTILIZING OUTSIDE RESOURCES, AND DEFINING OR REDEFINING PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. THE PROBLEM OF ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PROGRAM PERFORMANCE IS ALSO COVERED. THE SECTION ON PROGRAM EVALUATION INVOLVES SELECTION OF THE PROPER EVALUATION DESIGN, COLLECTION OF THE NECESSARY INFORMATION AND DATA, AND SYNTHESIZING INFORMATION AND DATA TO DRAW CONCLUSIONS ABOUT PROGRAM RESULTS. METHODS FOR DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM APPROACHES ARE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SUBJECT OF PROGRAM ANALYSIS. COST ESTIMATES FOR ALTERNATIVES ARE DISCUSSED AS WELL AS EFFECTIVENESS AND FEASIBILITY EVALUATIONS. ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS IS ALSO CONSIDERED. THE FINAL SECTION DISCUSSES PREPARATION OF A DRAFT REPORT ON PROGRAM EVALUATION OR ANALYSIS, REVIEW OF THE DRAFT REPORT WITH INTERESTED PARTIES, AND COMMUNICATION OF THE FINDINGS TO TOP MANAGEMENT. INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR ORGANIZING AND MONITORING THE IMPLEMENTATION EFFORT. EACH SECTION OF THE GUIDE IS ACCOMPANIED BY A FLOW CHART ILLUSTRATING ACTIVITIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN FOR THE PARTICULAR OPERATION. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE EVALUATION THEORY, A DISCUSSION OF SAMPLE SURVEYS, AND A FUNCTIONALLY ORGANIZED LIST OF EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED BY FIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ALONG WITH INFORMATION ON CONTACT SOURCES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)