Program Planning and Evaluation for the Public Manager

by Ronald D. Sylvia, Kathleen M. Sylvia

Program evaluation in the public sector has evolved from the status of applied research methodology to become an indispensable component of program operations. The fields of health care, social services, education, and law enforcement now have established their own standards against which program operations are assessed. National accrediting bodies have established systems of rigorous peer review to ensure the quality of program processes and outcomes. The authors address all facets of this standards-based program accreditation in the new Third Edition. This volume clearly details methods of monitoring and reviewing internal processes, as well as systematically conceptualizing outcome evaluations. Planning techniques are facilitated and enhanced by computer-generated project calendars, PERT/CPM applications, and queuing theory/flowcharts. The authors provide concepts and techniques of systems theory, process intervention, research design, and cost-benefit analysis, illustrated with easy-to-understand examples. Hypothetical planning case studies and outcome evaluation exercises provide valuable learning experience to students as they apply the various principles of planning and evaluation discussed throughout the text.

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Stan Skrabut]

As part of a graduate course on program planning and evaluation for the University of Wyoming, I had the class read Program Planning and Evaluation for the Public Manager* by Ronald Sylvia and Kathleen Sylvia. I found this book to be very practical and a great foundational book for the class. The authors provided a straight forward look at program planning and evaluation. While it is not a comprehensive book on the topic, it does point out important elements to keep in mind for someone new to the idea of program planning. It serves as a starting point. I would continue to use it in future courses. Read more