Policy Evaluation Flashcards
3.8 POLICY EVALUATION - DACCL
Policy evaluation DETERMINES whether policies are effective in achieving their objectives
Allows for ADJUSTMENTS at various points, helping policymakers assess whether goals are being met or if modifications are necessary.
Evaluation is a CONTINUOUS aspect of the policy process and is not only done at the end of a policy’s implementation
Evaluation is done every time a policymaker CHOOSES between alternatives and makes a decisions - or designs
provides LESSONS for future policy design and helps in the improvement of implementation strategies
3.8.1 Evaluation in the policy process
Reasons for evaluation - MLAF
To MEASURE progress towards the achievement of policy objectives;
To LEARN lessons form the project / programme for future policy review, redesign or implementation strategies;
To ADVOCATE a cause better, and
To provide political or FINANCIAL accountability;
Scope of evaluation
The scope of evaluation can be narrowly designed for one policy sector or consists of assessment of several policy sectors to produce integrated and cumulative impact assessment in different sectors e.g economic growth
If the scope of the evaluation increases, it will increase the complexity, cost and project life of the evaluation
Policy Impact
Evaluation research in the policy processes addresses two dimensions: how a policy may be measured against the goals and objectives it sets out to attain; and the actual impact of the policy
Impact can be measured based on
The impact on the target group;
Impact on situations or groups other than the target or the spill-over effects;
Direct costs referring to the resources used in the policy; and
indirect costs, including the loss of opportunities to pursue other goals.
3.8.2 Difference between policy outputs, policy impact, consequences
- Policy outputs
Immediate products created as a result of a policy
Or
These refer to the measurable actions taken during the implementation of policies
Outputs focus on whether the set goals are being met in terms of actions taken
e.g. moving 100 families from informal settlements to RDP houses with municipal services. Outputs are usually measurable
- Policy impact
This encompasses both the direct and indirect effects of policy on its target groups and broader society.
It can be tangible, such as improved living conditions, or symbolic, such as influencing public perceptions of government effectiveness
Even if government policies do not succeed in reducing social dependency or the lack of housing, public policy is often judged in terms of its good intentions rather than its tangible accomplishments
If declared goals are attained it can lead to greater political stability and support for government, but if services cannot be maintained and policy of allotting houses is not transparent and acceptable in the community, protests against government can intensify and violence can become the accepted way of protesting.
- Policy consequences
These refer to the broader, often unintended, outcomes of policy implementation.
Consequences can include social, economic, and environmental changes, some of which may not have been foreseen during the planning stages.
For instance, the construction of housing may stabilize the lives of families but also create new challenges in other areas, such as public service
3.8.3 Ex post and ex ante evaluation - ACBAG
Ex Post Evaluation
This form of evaluation occurs AFTER a policy has been implemented and assesses whether the intended goals were achieved.
It focuses on CHANGES brought about by the policy and discerning whether these changes can be attributed to the policy itself
Ex Ante Evaluation:
This type of evaluation takes place BEFORE a policy is implemented, examining the feasibility and potential outcomes.
ANTICIPATES costs, benefits, and the potential impact on existing policy frameworks
allows policymakers to GAUGE whether the proposed policy is likely to succeed or needs modification
3.8.4 Methods and measures of municipal policy evaluation - CCEPQ
Cost-Benefit Analysis: By measuring the financial costs of a policy against its benefits, this method evaluates whether the resources invested were justified by the outcomes achieved
Comparative Analysis: This involves comparing the situation before and after policy implementation to determine the net effects of the intervention.
Experiments: These test the impact of a policy on a targeted area or group, comparing it to a control group that did not experience the intervention
Past policies : Using past polices to understand what happened
Qualitative Approaches: These are used to assess the broader social and political implications of policies, focusing on public perception, administrative performance, and symbolic impact
Indicators - DOFGS
Quantitative and qualitative techniques can be used in the evaluation process
Demographic Indicators: These measure characteristics such as the size, distribution, and composition of a population. Demographic data is crucial for understanding population trends and societal needs.
Organizational and Technological Indicators: These capture the impact of policies or initiatives on organizations and technological advancements, such as efficiency improvements or innovation levels.
Geographical and Environmental Indicators: These indicators track changes in climate, natural resources, and the quality of living environments. They help measure sustainability and the impact of policies on the environment.
Financial and Economic Indicators: These measure economic conditions, including inflation, employment rates, and overall economic performance. Financial indicators are often key to evaluating the effectiveness of economic or fiscal policies.
Social Impact Indicators: These measure the broader effects of policies or programs on society, including health, education, and overall well-being.
3.8.5 Municipal policy evaluation obstacles - LIVU
Limited Resources: Evaluation often requires substantial time, funding, and human resources, all of which may be in short supply at the municipal level
Insufficient Baseline Data: which is data that shows the initial conditions before the policy was implemented. This baseline data is essential for assessing the impact of the policy, as it provides a point of comparison to see what has changed after the policy was put into action.
Vague Objectives: Policies with unclear or shifting objectives complicate the evaluation process, making it difficult to measure success or failure.
Unintended Spillover Effects: The impact of policies can extend beyond the targeted group, making it difficult to isolate cause-and-effect relationships
3.9 Municipal policy evaluation results
resuls can be used for - ALIE
Promoting ACCOUNTABILITY: by assessing the performance of public officials and institutions.
LEGITIMIZING Policies: By demonstrating compliance with policy directives evaluations can help avoid social unrest and build public trust in governance
IMPROVING Efficiency: Evaluation results can highlight areas where resources are being wasted and suggest improvements in cost-effectiveness
ENCOURAGING Adaptation: Evaluations can inform future policy changes, helping to refine or terminate ineffective policies
Requirements for policy evaluation - SRROOT
Significance: The evaluation must have a meaningful impact. It should lead to improvements or changes that make a real difference in policy decisions or outcomes,
Relevance: The evaluation must be directly related to the goal of resolving specific policy problem
Reliability: The data used in the evaluation must be accurate and dependable. Reliable data ensures that the findings of the evaluation are based on solid evidence, reducing the risk of misinterpretation or faulty conclusions.
Originality: Evaluations should produce new information or insights that add value to the existing knowledge base.
Objectivity: The evaluation process must be impartial and free from bias.
Timeliness: The evaluation must be conducted and delivered in a timely manner to ensure it can influence future policy decisions..
