What does program evaluation aim to assess?

Program evaluation is primarily focused on assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of programs. This means that it looks at how well the program is achieving its intended outcomes and whether it is utilizing resources in the best possible manner. Evaluations provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t, and they can help identify areas for improvement.

This is essential for stakeholders to determine whether the program is making a meaningful impact and justifying the resources allocated to it. Effectiveness refers to the degree to which objectives are met, while efficiency assesses how well resources are being used to achieve those objectives. A comprehensive evaluation can lead to informed decision-making for future programs and highlight successes or areas needing further development.

While popularity, personal satisfaction, and financial expenditure may be components of a program's overall assessment, they do not capture the core focus of program evaluation, which is fundamentally about understanding outcomes and resource utilization.