Improving Government Performance

Joseph S. Wholey is a professor of public administration at the University of Southern California. Kathryn E. Newcomer is director of the School of Public Policy and Public Administration at the George Washington University.

• Preface xiThe Authors xix1. Introduction: How Evaluation Can Improve Agency and Program Performance 1Joseph S. WholeyPart One: The Role of Evaluation in Public Programs 132. Planning and Managing Useful Evaluations 17Ronald H. Carlson, Anabel Burgh Crane  3. Five Strategies for Successful In-House Evaluations 30Gerald L. Barkdoll, Douglas L. Sporn4. Producing Evaluations That Make an Impact 49Richard C. Sonnichsen Part Two: Practical Approaches to Evaluating Public Programs 675. Characteristics of Successful Program Evaluations 71Michael J. Wargo6. Using Short-Term Evaluations Tools 83James B. Bell 7. Monitoring Field Activities Through On-Site Inspections 103John D. Glover 8. Techniques for Determining Program Quality 126Kathryn E. Newcomer  Part Three: Improving Program Planning and Management 1419. Assessing and Improving Organizational Productivity 143Michael R. Dulworth, Robert C. Taylor 10. Identifying Problems in Policy Implementation 162Norman W. Chlosta11. Stimulating Change in Agency Management 179Christopher Wye12. Conclusion: Evaluation Strategies for Building High-Performance Programs 195Kathryn E. Newcomer, Joseph S. WholeyIndex 209