The Role of Evaluation in Spending Review

Authors

  • Marc Robinson PFM Results Consulting

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3138/cjpe.43177

Keywords:

baseline expenditure, budget preparation process, fiscal space, information base, savings options

Abstract

The role of spending review is to identify savings options that enable governments either to find fiscal space for priority new spending or to cut aggregate spending. Spending review has been extensively used by governments around the world in the wake of the global financial crisis in 2008, and many governments are now seeking to institutionalize spending review as a permanent part of the budget preparation process. The effectiveness of spending review is critically dependent upon the quality of its information base—that is, of the expenditure analysis and performance indicators that can assist in the search for savings options. Evaluation is an essential part of this information base. However, ensuring that the potential of evaluation to inform spending review is realized will require considerable reflection on the design, selection, and conduct of evaluations.

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Published

2018-01-15

How to Cite

Robinson, M. (2018). The Role of Evaluation in Spending Review. Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, 32(3), 305–315. https://doi.org/10.3138/cjpe.43177

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 3 (2018): Special Issue

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2018 Marc Robinson

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