There are some basic principles to follow in setting up an evaluation program. One basic principle is to measure against the mission. We examined our Statute for the essential mission and goals against which to measure the program's success. Exhibit 2 lists key elements from the ATP Statute, in paraphrased form, which guide what we seek to measure. Exhibit 4 illustrates conceptually the time entailed for ATP projects to be done and to have impact.
Economic impact is measured conceptually on the vertical axis.
The lower curve illustrates slowly rising benefits to awardees. The upper curve illustrates increasing total economic benefits to the nation over time. The difference between the two curves indicates spillover benefits that extend beyond the ATP award recipients, as other benefit from the new technologies. The kinds of effects that may be expected for a successful project approximately in each of the time periods are listed in the shaded columns. With the passage of more time, retrospective estimates of project benefits based on a long view back will become more feasible.