Why is program evaluation important for resource allocation?

• A. It helps allocate resources based on outcomes
• B. It has nothing to do with resources
• C. It only measures satisfaction
• D. It reduces funding

Answer: (A)

Program evaluation measures both outcomes and the resources used to achieve them, so you can see which parts of a program are producing meaningful change at a reasonable cost. This makes it possible to direct funding, staff, and materials toward those activities that have the strongest evidence of impact. In short, evaluation provides evidence that helps prioritize where to invest, scale up, modify, or discontinue components based on their demonstrated results. The other statements miss the essential link between results and resource decisions: funding decisions are not made independently of outcomes, evaluation isn’t limited to satisfaction, and it doesn’t automatically reduce funding—the data guide decisions about where to allocate resources for maximum benefit.