Question

According to Wholey, Newcomer and Hartry, "The demand for systematic data on the performance of public and nonprofit programs continues to rise across the world." Why is this case? Why is program evaluation important?

Answer 1

Demand of systematic data as mentioned, continues to rise, because these data helps various parties to either judge the impact of these programs via assessment of data or make policies or amend policies on the basis of evidences provided by the data related to these programs. For example, there are different funding agencies and institutions who fund these programs. These data help these parties to assess the use of their funds under the programs and try to ensure that possible optimum results are gained through effective implementation of the programs. On a similar note, elected people and policy makers want to evaluate data driven performance of the programs so that they can bring changes and design new and more effective programs. These initiatives and decision making are done with the help of data, so it is in demand.

Program evaluation is important, because it shows the effectiveness of the program in terms of proper use of funds, proper implementation and degree to which the program is able to achieve its stated objectives. So, program evaluation helps different parties and stakeholders to get answers of their questions. For example, program developers and policy makers, want to know the degree of effectiveness of the program among the communities and its deliverable benefits to them. It becomes a basis to launch new program and or make the same program to continue for some more time period. Such decisions are taken up when program evaluation takes place.