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'''Program evaluation''' is a systematic method for collecting, analyzing, and using information to answer questions about projects, policies and [[program (management)|programs]],<ref>Administration for Children and Families (2010) ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20051105021406/http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/other_resrch/pm_guide_eval/index.html The Program Manager's Guide to Evaluation]. Chapter 2: What is program evaluation?''.</ref> particularly about their [[effectiveness]] (whether they do what they are intended to do) and [[efficiency]] (whether they are good value for money).
In the [[public sector|public]], [[private sector|private]], and [[voluntary sector]], [[project stakeholder|stakeholders]] might be required to assess—under law or charter—or want to know whether the programs they are funding, implementing, voting for, receiving or opposing are producing the promised effect. To some degree, program evaluation falls under traditional [[cost–benefit analysis]], concerning fair returns on the outlay of economic and other assets; however, social outcomes can be more complex to assess than market outcomes, and a different skillset is required. Considerations include how much the program costs per participant, program [[impact evaluation|impact]], how the program could be improved, whether there are better alternatives, if there are [[unintended consequences|unforeseen consequences]], and whether the program goals are appropriate and useful.<ref>{{cite report|last=Shackman|first=Gene|title=What Is Program Evaluation: A Beginner's Guide|publisher=The Global Social Change Research Project|ssrn=3060080}}</ref> Evaluators help to answer these questions. Best practice is for the evaluation to be a joint project between evaluators and stakeholders.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hints for Conducting Strong Evaluations|url=https://www.cdc.gov/eval/strongevaluations/index.htm|work=Program Evaluation|publisher=CDC – Office of the Associate Director for Program – Program Evaluation|access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref>
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