Quality assurance,program evaluation,and auditing: Different approaches to effective program management

Abstract: This article examines the use of auditing, program evaluation, and quality assurance models of effective program management in an comparative perspective. The three models represent different approaches to effective management. The argument is made that quality assurance or continuous quality assessment - a term borrowed from industry - is a better management tool than program evaluation or auditing. Instead of depending on ad hoc or cyclical assessments, as is the practice in most auditing and program projects, quality assurance is an ongoing process with built-in problem or defect-prevention strategies. It is prospective, flexible, and not confronted with many of the theoretical entrapments and challenges faced by some evaluation and auditing models. When combined with certain program evaluation and auditing techniques, it can become a more encompassing and viable management control instrument. Sommaire: Cet article examine dans une optique comparative les modèles de vérification, d'évaluation de programmes et d'assurance de la qualité visant une gestion eficace des programmes. Les trois modèles présentent des méthodes de gestion différentes. L'auteur affirme que le modèle d'assurance de la qualité, ou plus précisément le modele d'évaluation continue de la qualité (une expression empruntée i I'industrie), est un meilleur outil de gestion que les deux autres. Au lieu de recourir à des vérifications ad hoc ou cycliques, comme le font la plupart des projets de vérification ou d'évaluation des programmes, l'assurance de la qualité est un processus continu qui comp rend des stratégies inhérentes de prévention des probèmes et des failles. C'est un modèle pro-spectif, souple, qui échappe aux nombreux pièges et enjeux théoriques de certains modèles d'évaluation et de vérification. Combinéà diverses méthodes d'évaluation de programmes et de vérification, il peut devenir un outil plus global et plus viable de contrôle de gestion.     

Public policy analysis and the Canadian health care system

The Canadian Health System . By lee sodekstrom . Toronto: Macmillan of Canada. 1978. Pp. 271. $19.95 (cloth); $9.95 (paper). Health Insurance and Canadian Public Policy . By malcolm g. taylor . Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press. 1978. Pp. 473. $18.95 (cloth) $7.95 (paper). The Health Care Business . By ake blomqvist . Vancouver: The Fraser Institute. 1979. Pp. 185. $5.95 (paper).     

浅析公众评价及其在警察评价体系中的地位

公众评价是警察评价体系的一个组成部分,同时也是由评价的主体、标准、方法、途径、保障机制等因素构成的一个相对独立的系统,处于警察评价体系的核心地位。警察工作的评价结果,根本上讲,应该以公众评价的结果为基础。     

俄罗斯高等教育质量评估体系透视

高等教育质量评估问题是俄罗斯高等教育变革的一个重要内容．本文在梳理俄罗斯高校的分类与俄罗斯高等教育质量现状的基础上，对俄罗斯高等教育质量评估体系进行了系统的阐释与分析，这对于我国高校评估制度的改革与发展具有重要的启示意义。     

企业人事管理变革与人才政策体系构建

人才资源配置的市场化变革促使企业传统人事管理向现代人力资源管理转变。人才政策是企业现代人力资源管理的重要组成部分 ,合理完善的人才政策应当包括人才引进政策、人才使用政策、人才激励政策和人才保障政策等     

油田企业整体竞争力评价体系研究

企业整体竞争力评价指标体系是企业整体竞争力认识、识别、测评和制定竞争力战略及不断提高竞争力的平台。只有对油田企业竞争能力进行全面分析与评价,才能明确其在市场竞争中的坐标位置,制定适宜的战略发展目标。     

Implementing multicultural policy: an analysis of the heritage language program, 1971–1981

While O'Bryan and associates carried out a good comprehensive national survey in the 1970s of non-official language use in Canada, such a major study rum needs to be done in the 1980s as well. Such a new update could use more sophisticated methods of analysis, to ensure greater penetration into the quality of language comprehension and use.     

Stop the music: the current policy and expenditure management system in Ottawa

Abstract. The process of policy and expenditure management in Ottawa is in continual evolution. This paper examines the current system and attempts to draw some conclusions about overall directions of change. The current ‘envelope’ system is a logical outgrowth of attempts dating back at least through the 1970s to better integrate policy initiation and expenditure management considerations. The changing constellations of agencies over that period are examined as is the attempt to impose a higher level of overall coordination on the system. The current interrelationships among central agencies are outlined and some comments are made on the evolving relationships between cabinet and the agencies which support its deliberations. Finally some conclusions are attempted on the basis of the interrelationships among overall planning systems within the federal government. Sommaize: A Ottawa, le processus de gestion des politiques et des dépenses est en évolution continuelle. L'auteur de cet exposé examine le système actuel et essaie de dégager des conclusions quant aw orientations générales de ce processus. Le système actuel de « l'enveloppe » est la suite logique des tentatives, qui remontent au moins aux années 1970, de meilleure intégration en ce qui conceme l'élaboration des politiques et les nouveaux principes de gestion des dépenses. L'auteur examine les changements dans les regroupements d'agences péndant cette periode ainsi que les efforts entrepris pour imposer un plus haut degré de coordination à l'ensemble du système. Il expose les relations actuelles existant au sein des organismes centraux et propose ses commentaires sur l'évolution des rapports entre le Cabinet et les organismes qui aident à ses déliérations. Finalement, I'auteur essaie de tirer certaines conclusions en se basant sur les rapports existant entre les divers systèmes de planification globale au sein du gouvemement fédéral.     

高校绩效评价指标体系设计及应用研究——以教育部直属高校为例

高等教育公共投资的产出具有非盈利性、间接性、多元性等特征。基于导向性、可比性、相对性和可操作性的原则,构建由人才培养、科学研究、社会服务和资源条件4个一级指标及13个二级指标组成的高校绩效评估指标体系。对5所教育部直属财经院校的实证分析表明,对不同高校进行投资所产生的效益与其综合办学水平相一致。如果将评估范围延展至教育部直属的综合类高校和理工类高校。则需要对部分指标的统计口径和权重做相应调整。     

Assessing the results of public expenditure: program evaluation in the Canadian federal government

Abstract. In an attempt to tighten up its financial systems and improve control of expenditures, the Canadian federal government has set up a new office, that of the Comptroller General. One of this Office's responsibilities is to administer the Treasury Board's policy on program evaluation, which says that all government programs should be periodically reviewed for their effectiveness in meeting goals and for the efficiency with which they are managed. The paper describes the Office's approach to program evaluation, reviews program evaluation policy in three other countries and discusses the principles and practical problems which limit the application of evaluation research. Evaluation activity in Canada is endangered in its cradle by two threats: the tendency of proponents to over-exuberance; and the cynics' view that the activity is of such limited applicability that potential savings are negligible. A third problem is a tendency to fuse together policy-related and management-related assessment activity. Evaluation activity conducted from the operational management point of view which takes program goals for granted will surely result in sequences of small victories and economies. This is worth doing well. But the dramatic import of effectiveness evaluation as a ‘bottom line’ for judging the worth of whole programs — that is, as a policy tool — should not be allowed to generate false expectations about the scope for improvement in routine management of the public service. Sommaire. En vue de fortifier ses systèmes financiers et d'améliorer le contrôle exercé sur ses dépenses, le gouvemement fédéral canadien a créé un nouveau poste, celui du Contrôleur général. Une des responsabilités de cette function est d'administrer la politique du Conseil du trésor en matière d'évaluation de programmes. Cette politique exige que les programmes gouvernementaux soient évalués périodiquement afin de déterminer leur efficacitéà rencontrer leurs objectifs ainsi que la capacité de rendement de leur gestion. Ce document décrit l'approche du Bureau du Contrôleur général en matière d'évaluation de programmes; examine les politiques correspondantes dans trois autres pays; et discute des principes et des problèmes pratiques qui limitent l'applicabilité de l'évaluation en recherche.     

A retrospective on policy development in Ottawa

Abstract: Policy development in the federal government has been characterized by certain constants such as the prominent role of the Department of Finance, Canada's regionalism, and the perennial issue of national unity. Within this framework, however, it is striking how much policy development processes have varied according to who the prime minister was at a particular time. Lester Pearson's years were characterized by “departmental government”: ministers and their departments had considerable autonomy, and matters were brought to cabinet only when they were ripe for decision. The advantages of this system were to some degree offset by a lack of coherence in government operations during this period. Under Pierre Trudeau, there was a major effort to bring systematic approaches to bear on government decisions, with a concomitant increase in the role of the Privy Council Office (PCO). Collective decision-making took up considerably more of ministers' time and left them less time for the management of their departments. The system was found by many to be cumbersome, although some degree of centralization was undoubtedly a necessary response to the growing complexity of government. Brian Mulroney's years, on the other hand, were characterized by a considerable absence of system, supplemented by frequent direct interventions by the pco in operational matters across government. It is not easy to assess these different systems by examining the quality of the decisions that were made under the different prime ministers. Experience illustrates the difficulty of striking the right balance between central direction and ministerial autonomy. The effort must nevertheless be made under each government, with due regard for the lessons of the past. Sommaire: L'élaboration des politiques au gouvernement fédéral se caractérise par certaines constantes telles que le rôle dominant du ministère des Finances, le régionalisme du Canada et l'étemelle question de l'unité nationale. Or, à l'intérieur de ce cadre, il est frappant de constater combien les méthodes d'élaboration des politiques varient en fonction du premier ministre en poste. Les années Lester Pearson se distinguent par le « gouvernement ministériel «, c'est-à-dire que les ministres et leurs ministères avaient une autonomie considérable et ne présentaient les questions au Cabinet qu'au moment de la prise de décision. Les avantages d'une telle démarcheont été quelque peu neutralisés par le manque de cohésion des activitiés du gouvernement à cette époque. Sous Pierre Trudeau, on s'est efforcé de systématiser la manière de prendre les décisions gouvernementales, le Bureau du Conseil Privé (BCP) voyant son rôle s'accroître simultanément. Les prises de décision selon un mode collectif prenaient aux ministres un temps considérable, ce qui leur en laissait moins pour diriger leurs ministères. Beaucoup trouvaient la démarche difficile bien qu'une certaine centralisation s'imposait à la suite de la complexité croissante du gouvernement. Les années Brian Mulroney se caractérisent, pour leur part, par un manque considérable de méthode ponctué par de fréquentes interventions directes du BCP dans les affaires de tout le gouvernement. II n'est pas simple d'évaluer ces différentes périodes en examinant la qualité des décisions prises sous chaque premier ministre. L'expérience montre combien il est difficile de trouver le juste équilibre entre la direction centrale et l'autonomie des ministères. II faut néanmoins, sous chaque gouvernement, faire un effort en ce sens en tenant compte des leçons du passé.     

A hitch-hiker's guide to Ottawa public policy

Canadian Public Policy: Ideas, Structures, Process. By G. Bruce Doern and Richard W. Phidd . Toronto: Methuen. 1983. Pp. 624. $21.95. G. Bruce Doern and Richard Phidd's Canadian Public Policy: Ideas, Structures, Process is an important addition to the field of public policy studies and demands to be read in part, if not in full. Its importance lies, first, in the authors who are well known and recognized as among the leaders in the field. This volume represents an effort by the two authors to bring to paper nearly twenty years of thinking and writing about Canadian public policy. Second, the book represents an ambitious attempt to introduce a neo-institutional approach to the study of public policy, the “interplay” approach. In this regard, the book is ground-breaking, for it represents the first book-length effort in recent memory that systematically studies Canadian public policy under the rubric of a general, integrating conceptual scheme. Finally, its importance rests with its extraordinary wealth of detail and insights into public policy institutions, actors, historical trends, contemporary events, and political and public policy theory.     

试论大学生诚信评价体系的构建

本文通过对大学生在考试作弊、助学贷款、就业择业等方面诚信缺失的分析,提出构建大学生诚信评价体系的基本内容,并阐述了如何加强以诚实信用为重点的大学生道德建设的措施和方法.     

公共服务均等化的评价体系构建

公共服务均等化是当前和谐社会建设的重要目标和内容,这一政策目标的实现离不开恰当公共政策的制定和实施。而合适的公共政策必须以对公共服务现实状况的正确认识和评价为前提,采用不同的评价体系将会导致评价结果上的巨大差异,并由此形成不同的政策模式。为此,构建恰当的评价体系是制定公共服务均等化相关政策的基础。评价体系的构建一般从评价方法的确定、评价内容的选择以及评价指标的筛选等几方面着手,采取主客观标准相结合的评价方法,对公共服务从财政投入、产出到效果视角,重点围绕教育、医疗、社会保障等基本民生类公共服务设置评价指标体系。     

改革开放三十年我国高等工科人才培养回顾及评述——基于教育政策的视角

改革开放以来,我国高等工科教育取得了飞速发展。而这三十年的飞速发展又与国家的教育政策导向紧密相关。改革开放三十年来的高等工科教育政策确保了高等工科人才培养的规模和质量,基本满足了社会变革和时代发展对工程人才的需求,使我国的高等工科教育走上了一条健康发展的道路。但是,其中也有一些经验教训值得总结。未来我国高等工科教育相应政策的制定,要站在历史的高度、以创新的精神和国际化的视野来进行。     

Analysing the associative action of business: policy advocacy and policy participation

Abstract: Generally speaking, the study of interest associations in Canada has focused upon their lobbying or pressure-type activities. As research on these associations has proceeded, we have learned that associations play other roles than policy advocates. They also sometimes participate directly in the design, formulation or implementation of policy. This policy participant role places different organizational and strategical pressures on associations than the usual advocate role. This article defines the two different types of roles that associations might come to play, describes the structural properties that associations are likely to need to play the roles, and assesses the contradictions placed on associations involved in both roles.