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Business, Commerce and Management Studies › Public Administration

Public Sector Programme Evaluation Training

SAQA US 242917 | NQF 7 | Credits 16 | Duration 13 Days
From $2,349 per delegate

Description

This course equips public sector professionals with the skills to systematically evaluate government programmes, ensuring accountability, effectiveness, and alignment with policy objectives. Participants will learn to design evaluation frameworks, collect and analyze data, and report findings to improve service delivery. The course is aligned with the SAQA unit standard for evaluating public sector programmes.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply evaluation theories and models to public sector programme contexts.
  • Analyze programme logic, objectives, and stakeholder expectations.
  • Design an evaluation plan including data collection methods and sampling strategies.
  • Implement data collection and analysis using quantitative and qualitative techniques.
  • Evaluate programme outcomes and impacts against predetermined criteria.
  • Report evaluation findings with actionable recommendations for programme improvement.

Target Audience

This course is designed for programme managers, monitoring and evaluation officers, policy analysts, and other public sector professionals involved in planning, implementing, or assessing government programmes.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Public Sector Programme Evaluation

Objectives:
• Understand the purpose and scope of programme evaluation in the public sector.
• Identify key stakeholders and their roles in evaluation.
• Differentiate between monitoring and evaluation.
• Recognise the legislative and policy framework for evaluation in South Africa.

Topics:
• Overview of programme evaluation: definition, purpose, and types.
• The role of evaluation in public sector governance and accountability.
• Key stakeholders: government departments, funders, beneficiaries, evaluators.
• Monitoring vs. evaluation: similarities and differences.
• Legislative framework: DPME, M&E policy frameworks, and relevant acts.
• Ethical considerations in public sector evaluation.

Day 2: Programme Theory and Logic Models

Objectives:
• Describe the components of a programme theory.
• Develop a logic model for a public sector programme.
• Identify assumptions and risks in programme design.
• Use logic models to guide evaluation questions.

Topics:
• Programme theory: inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, impact.
• Constructing a logic model: step-by-step process.
• Assumptions and external factors.
• Theory of change vs. logic model.
• Examples of logic models in South African public programmes.
• Using logic models to formulate evaluation questions.

Day 3: Evaluation Design and Approaches

Objectives:
• Distinguish between formative, summative, and developmental evaluation.
• Select appropriate evaluation designs for different contexts.
• Understand the strengths and limitations of experimental and quasi-experimental designs.
• Apply participatory and utilisation-focused evaluation approaches.

Topics:
• Types of evaluation: formative, summative, process, impact.
• Evaluation design options: experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental.
• Internal and external validity threats.
• Participatory evaluation: engaging stakeholders.
• Utilisation-focused evaluation: ensuring findings are used.
• Selecting an appropriate design for a public sector programme.

Day 4: Developing Evaluation Questions and Indicators

Objectives:
• Formulate clear and answerable evaluation questions.
• Develop SMART indicators for programme performance.
• Align indicators with programme logic and stakeholder needs.
• Understand the role of indicators in measuring outcomes.

Topics:
• Crafting evaluation questions: criteria and types.
• SMART indicators: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound.
• Quantitative vs. qualitative indicators.
• Indicator selection and validation.
• Linking indicators to programme logic.
• Common pitfalls in indicator development.

Day 5: Data Collection Methods for Evaluation

Objectives:
• Identify appropriate data collection methods for evaluation.
• Design surveys, interview guides, and observation protocols.
• Ensure data quality: validity, reliability, and bias.
• Understand mixed-methods approaches.

Topics:
• Quantitative methods: surveys, administrative data, tests.
• Qualitative methods: interviews, focus groups, observations.
• Document review and case studies.
• Mixed-methods designs.
• Sampling strategies.
• Ensuring data quality: validity, reliability, triangulation.
• Ethical data collection.

Day 6: Data Analysis and Interpretation

Objectives:
• Analyse quantitative data using descriptive and inferential statistics.
• Analyse qualitative data using thematic analysis.
• Interpret findings in relation to evaluation questions.
• Draw valid conclusions and recommendations.

Topics:
• Quantitative analysis: descriptive statistics, t-tests, chi-square, regression.
• Qualitative analysis: coding, themes, narratives.
• Using software for data analysis (e.g., Excel, SPSS, NVivo).
• Triangulation of data sources.
• Interpreting findings: causality, contribution, context.
• Drawing conclusions and formulating recommendations.

Day 7: Reporting and Disseminating Evaluation Findings

Objectives:
• Structure an evaluation report according to standards.
• Write clear, actionable recommendations.
• Present findings to diverse audiences.
• Plan dissemination to maximise use.

Topics:
• Evaluation report structure: executive summary, methodology, findings, conclusions.
• Writing for different audiences: policymakers, practitioners, public.
• Visualising data: charts, tables, infographics.
• Presenting findings effectively.
• Dissemination strategies: workshops, briefs, media.
• Ensuring recommendations are actionable.

Day 8: Evaluation Management and Ethics

Objectives:
• Plan and manage an evaluation project.
• Apply ethical principles throughout the evaluation process.
• Understand the role of evaluation standards.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and conflicts.

Topics:
• Evaluation project planning: scope, timeline, budget.
• Ethical principles: informed consent, confidentiality, beneficence.
• Evaluation standards: utility, feasibility, propriety, accuracy.
• Stakeholder engagement and communication.
• Managing conflicts of interest.
• Quality assurance in evaluation.

Day 9: Evaluating Specific Public Sector Programmes

Objectives:
• Analyse evaluation approaches for social, economic, and infrastructure programmes.
• Identify sector-specific evaluation challenges.
• Apply evaluation frameworks to real-world cases.
• Adapt methods to programme context.

Topics:
• Evaluating social programmes: health, education, social development.
• Evaluating economic programmes: job creation, SMME support.
• Evaluating infrastructure programmes: housing, transport.
• Sector-specific indicators and data sources.
• Case studies from South African public sector.
• Challenges: data availability, attribution, political context.

Day 10: Impact Evaluation Methods

Objectives:
• Understand counterfactual reasoning in impact evaluation.
• Apply experimental and quasi-experimental impact evaluation designs.
• Use difference-in-differences, propensity score matching, and regression discontinuity.
• Interpret impact findings and limitations.

Topics:
• Counterfactual and attribution.
• Randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
• Quasi-experimental designs: difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity.
• Propensity score matching.
• Instrumental variables.
• Challenges in impact evaluation: selection bias, spillovers.
• Interpreting impact estimates.

Day 11: Cost-Effectiveness and Cost-Benefit Analysis

Objectives:
• Understand the role of economic evaluation in public sector.
• Conduct cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA).
• Understand cost-benefit analysis (CBA) principles.
• Compare programme efficiency and value for money.

Topics:
• Economic evaluation concepts: efficiency, equity.
• Cost-effectiveness analysis: measuring costs and effects.
• Cost-benefit analysis: monetising benefits.
• Discounting and sensitivity analysis.
• Using economic evaluation for decision-making.
• Examples from public sector programmes.

Day 12: Utilisation of Evaluation Findings and Organisational Learning

Objectives:
• Identify barriers to evaluation use.
• Develop strategies to enhance utilisation.
• Foster a culture of learning and evidence-based decision-making.
• Design evaluation systems for continuous improvement.

Topics:
• Barriers to evaluation use: political, organisational, cultural.
• Strategies for promoting use: stakeholder engagement, timeliness, relevance.
• Organisational learning: feedback loops, adaptive management.
• Building evaluation capacity within organisations.
• Case studies of evaluation use in South Africa.
• Developing an evaluation utilisation plan.

Day 13: Integrating Evaluation into Public Sector Planning and Budgeting

Objectives:
• Link evaluation findings to planning and budgeting processes.
• Understand the role of evaluation in the budget cycle.
• Develop recommendations for programme improvement.
• Create an evaluation action plan for a programme.

Topics:
• Evaluation and the planning cycle: strategic plans, annual plans.
• Evaluation and the budget cycle: MTEF, programme budgeting.
• Using evaluation to inform resource allocation.
• Developing an evaluation action plan.
• Presenting recommendations to decision-makers.
• Course wrap-up and reflection.

Practicals

48 hours of practicals To be conducted online or on-campus or in-house
Overview

Practicals are essential for learners to apply evaluation concepts to real-world public sector programmes. Through hands-on exercises, learners develop skills in logic modelling, data collection, analysis, and reporting, preparing them to conduct evaluations independently.

Practical Activities
  • Practical 1: Developing a Logic Model — Learners select a public sector programme and construct a detailed logic model including inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and assumptions. (8h)
  • Practical 2: Designing Data Collection Instruments — Learners design a survey and interview guide for a chosen programme, pilot test the instruments, and refine them based on feedback. (10h)
  • Practical 3: Data Analysis and Interpretation — Learners analyse provided or collected data using Excel (quantitative) and thematic analysis (qualitative), then interpret findings. (12h)
  • Practical 4: Writing an Evaluation Report — Learners write a full evaluation report for a simulated or real programme, including executive summary, methodology, findings, and recommendations. (10h)
  • Practical 5: Presenting Evaluation Findings — Learners prepare and deliver a presentation of their evaluation findings to a mock stakeholder panel, receiving feedback on communication and impact. (8h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) 100% 30%
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 50%
Final Total — 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Practicals 30% + Daily Average 20% + Final Test 50%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Wed 09 Sep 2026 Fri 25 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $2,349 Register
Tue 29 Sep 2026 Thu 15 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $2,349 Register
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Fri 31 Dec 2027 Tue 18 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $2,349 Register
Thu 20 Jan 2028 Mon 07 Feb 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $2,349 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 499 sessions across 26 venues
Start End Venue Season Price Action
Fri 31 Jul 2026 Tue 18 Aug 2026 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Winter 2026 $6,572 Register
Mon 03 Aug 2026 Wed 19 Aug 2026 Johannesburg, South Africa Winter 2026 $5,330 Register
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Thu 06 Aug 2026 Mon 24 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $7,976 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Thu 17 Sep 2026 Mon 05 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $3,056 Register
Wed 07 Oct 2026 Fri 23 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $3,056 Register
Tue 27 Oct 2026 Thu 12 Nov 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $3,056 Register
Tue 15 Dec 2026 Thu 31 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $3,056 Register
Mon 18 Jan 2027 Wed 03 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $3,056 Register
Fri 26 Feb 2027 Tue 16 Mar 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $3,056 Register
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Tue 23 Mar 2027 Thu 08 Apr 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $3,056 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Wed 30 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $3,056 Register
Fri 09 Jul 2027 Tue 27 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $3,056 Register
Thu 29 Jul 2027 Mon 16 Aug 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $3,056 Register
Wed 15 Sep 2027 Fri 01 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $3,056 Register
Tue 05 Oct 2027 Thu 21 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $3,056 Register
Mon 25 Oct 2027 Wed 10 Nov 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $3,056 Register
Tue 14 Dec 2027 Thu 30 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $3,056 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Wed 19 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $3,056 Register
Fri 28 Jan 2028 Tue 15 Feb 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $3,056 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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