Evaluating Public Sector Information Systems: More Than Meets the Eye

Abstract

mation systems. T he proliferation of personal computers, networked terminals, and powerful workstations throughout the public sector makes information systems and their information products readily accessible to most government workers. In many cases, the use of information systems seems indispensable for public program success in service delivery, oversight, policy formulation, and accountability functions. The knowledge and skills for effective evaluation of these crucial information systems are not nearly as pervasive as the systems or the range of users. Guidance on effective information-system evaluation is not even readily available for private-sector evaluators, and the governmental environment presents different sorts of challenges for those intent on ensuring effective evaluation.