What is the primary purpose of program evaluation?

The primary purpose of program evaluation is to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of a program in achieving its goals. This involves systematically collecting and analyzing information about a program's activities, outputs, and outcomes to determine whether it is meeting its intended objectives. Effective program evaluation helps stakeholders understand how well a program is performing and identifies areas for improvement. It can inform decision-making and resource allocation, ensuring that programs are not only effective in reaching their goals but also efficient in utilizing resources.

In this context, while creating new programs from scratch is a separate endeavor that may stem from evaluation findings, it is not the primary purpose of program evaluation. Similarly, eliminating unnecessary staff positions may result from an evaluation but is not its core aim. Focusing solely on financial outcomes ignores the broader range of effectiveness and impact that program evaluation encompasses, as it should consider program goals, participant outcomes, and overall efficacy.