It is very important for social service agencies to account for how they use resources, and also demonstrate that their organization is effective. This shows that they are meeting their goals and objectives. Also that they are reaching their goals efficiently. That means they are using their resources that they have correctly. So most of the literature on program evaluation comes from administration and management.
Agencies have a mission or a purpose.
In that mission there is a broad statement that explains what they are there to do. The program will have a board of directors and staff that carry out the objectives of that agency. The program objectives are much more specific than an organizational mission. The objectives have to be measured. The way effectiveness is demonstrated is by measuring program outcomes.