Chapter 7: Monitoring the Implementation and the Operation of Programs

Chapter 7, “Monitoring the Implementation and the Operation of Programs,” addresses the vital task of learning the details of what is actually happening in a program. Although some of the specifics can be observed by evaluators, all the information regarding clients and services can only be summarized if it has been systematically collected over time by the agency in a way that can be easily used. Various elements of information systems that support that collection and summary are described and demonstrated to provide readers with hands-on experience of the operation of such systems and an overview of some of the options that are available. Important cautions in approaching information systems and a case study illustrating the importance of evaluators having sufficient knowledge and skill of these systems conclude this chapter.