Appropriateness

In the focus on effectiveness, efficiency, and economy, the appropriateness of programs, projects, policies, and products is often ignored—to the detrimentof sound judgments about worth. To evaluate appropriateness, one of two comparisons is made. The program may be compared to the needs of the intendedclients, using any of the techniques of needs analysis. Alternatively, the program can be evaluated in termsof its compliance with process. In health, for example, some evaluations focus on appropriate care, including treatment of conditions (heart disease) or events(childbirth). Appropriateness can be determinedthrough expert review of individual cases.