Improving Program Design

Rethinking Program Design Issue Summary:

     Is government program design an art or a science? Over the years,
the press, the public, and many civil servants have come to believe it
is more akin to smoke and mirrors. In the past, ambiguous goals, weak
concepts, and careless implementation have characterized the design of
many government programs. But that's changing. The Government
Performance and Results Act of 1993 now requires the Executive Branch to
publish a performance plan prior to launching a new program, and
periodically report on program results. This new emphasis on achievement
demands better program design and more rigorous evaluation.

     To make this happen, we are bringing the proven principles of
modern program design technology back into the federal government.
Agency executives are taking a more systematic, disciplined approach to
the design of new programs and the review of existing ones. As these new
design techniques begin to take hold, agencies will develop a valuable
database of objective criteria for making more effective program design
decisions.

     To encourage these efforts, the National Performance Review has
recommended four presidential initiatives. First, the President should
direct the President's Management Council to sponsor the development and
publication of a comprehensive handbook that would address the strengths
and weaknesses of alternative program designs. Second, the Council
should designate one or two agencies to test program design capability
to determine its value and costs. Third, the Council should take steps
to help Congress design better programs. Fourth, the Council should
commission program design courses to educate and train current and
future policy-makers, program designers, and managers.

     Your participation in this Electronic Open Meeting will go a long
way toward energizing, refining, and implementing NPR Recommendations
for better program design. During the next two weeks you'll be able to
connect, engage, and network with participants across the federal
workforce. By sharing experiences and ideas on government reinvention,
this Electronic Open Meeting will help forge the enterprising and
pragmatic solutions needed to create a government that works better and
costs less.

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