When conducting a program evaluation, which two aspects should be ensured?

• A. The program is cost effective and the timeline is appropriate
• B. The program has the most participants
• C. The program uses the latest technology
• D. The program has no budget limits

Answer: (A)

In program evaluation, the emphasis is on whether the program uses resources wisely and whether results can be obtained in time to inform decisions. Cost-effectiveness examines whether the benefits justify the costs, ensuring the program provides value for the resources invested. An appropriate timeline guarantees that data collection, analysis, and reporting occur on a schedule that allows managers to act on findings, make improvements, or decide on continuation or scale-up. The other ideas—maximizing participant numbers, using the latest technology, or having no budget limits—aren’t required for a meaningful evaluation and can even mislead decisions if they drive aims that don’t relate to value or timeliness.