Why is it recommended to have an end date in health program planning?

• A. To define a clear time frame for evaluation and possible renewal
• B. To terminate funding
• C. To avoid evaluation
• D. To complicate planning

Answer: (A)

Setting an end date creates a defined window to assess how the program is performing. This built-in checkpoint lets you measure progress toward goals, examine outcomes, and decide what comes next—whether to renew, expand, modify, or stop the program based on solid evidence.

Having a clear end date helps with accountability and resource planning. Stakeholders know when results will be reviewed, and data collection, analysis, and reporting are scheduled around that deadline. If the results are positive, you can plan for renewal or scale-up; if not, you can reallocate resources or redesign the approach.

This isn’t about stopping funding by itself, and it certainly doesn’t avoid evaluation. It also doesn’t aim to complicate planning; it provides a clear timeline that shapes evaluation, decision-making, and future planning.