Evaluation Overview

Evaluations provide accurate, objective and evidence-based information to help managers make more effective decisions on their policies, programs and initiatives. In doing so, evaluation studies play a key role in providing focused and measurable results for Canadians.

Evaluation studies provide essential information on the impact of a policy, program or initiative, including the extent to which they are:

• Relevant – is it consistent with departmental and government-wide priorities and does it realistically address an actual need?
• Successful – is it effective in meeting its objectives, within budget and without unwanted outcomes?
• Cost-effective – are the most appropriate and efficient means being used to achieve its objectives, relative to alternative design and delivery approaches?

Benefits of Evaluation

Evaluations provide managers with timely, accurate, objective and evidence-based information on policies, programs and initiatives to help them:

• make sound decisions regarding departmental policies, programs and initiatives and related spending,
• design effective and efficient programs as well as improve the design of current programs,
• design, establish and implement reliable performance measurement and management practices, and
• contribute to increased accountability.

Because the evaluation process is collaborative — bringing together policy, program and initiative experts and evaluators — it also serves as a valuable learning opportunity by

• improving the understanding of the logic of policies, programs and initiatives,
their objectives and linkages between activities, outputs, results and resources, as well as key performance indicators;
• increasing awareness, understanding and adoption of results-based measurement and management practices; and
• contributing to better horizontal relationships across the Department as well as across other government departments.

Evaluation Studies

An evaluation study includes comprehensive data collection and analysis, conclusions and recommendations. The data includes regularly collected performance information and one-time research results. Evaluation tools can include:

• surveys and interviews with program staff and stakeholders,
• literature/file reviews,
• cost-effectiveness studies,
• statistical reviews (e.g., financial data, traffic levels, accident rates), and
• case studies.

To review evaluation reports completed by Departmental Evaluation Services and Management Action Plans prepared by the TC management, please link to our Reports.