Formative and summative evaluation: Related issues in performance measurement

Abstract

Wholey first defines “performance measurement” and then explains how it can serve both formative and summative evaluation functions. He also offers the view that formative evaluation is typically more useful than summative for governmental purposes, and that performance measurement is more useful than one-shot evaluations (of either formative or summative stripe). Challenges to evaluators wishing to contribute to performance measurement methodology are outlined.