Transition Series

Program Evaluation Issues Gao ID: OCG-89-8TR November 1, 1988

GAO reviewed the executive branch's ability to conduct program evaluations.

GAO found that: (1) executive agencies are losing both program evaluation and data collection capabilities; (2) the executive and legislative branches need the evaluations to make sound judgments; and (3) the continued deterioration in evaluation capabilities could require GAO, its sister agencies, and private-sector analysts to provide most of the information Congress needs. GAO found that executive agencies need to: (1) rebuild staff capacity; (2) provide dedicated resources for program evaluation and data collection; (3) set priorities to ensure that information arrives when needed; and (4) ensure honest, full reporting to agency policymakers and Congress.



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