A Workbook in Program Design for Public Managers: (SUNY series in Public Administration)

This is the first practical, step-by-step guide to a key management technique-the design of efficient, cost-effective programs. With social programs succumbing to the pressures of budgetary cutbacks and taxpayer opposition, it gives public administrators the skills to design programs that will endure even as resources decline. The author begins to bridge the gap between what is needed by society and what can be provided by government by assisting public managers in identifying and surmounting obstacles in the way of program change. He does so by synthesizing what is known about program planning as a body of knowledge with the application of programs under real life conditions. His how-to approach covers such tasks as selecting a problem for analysis, diagnosing the organizational setting, preparing a work plan, developing alternatives, collecting data, communicating results, and preparing for implementation. The exercises and exhibits included in this workbook are applicable to all areas of public service, including health and human services, social services, criminal justice, and education.

Table of Contents:
Preface 1. Introduction What is Program Design Program Design as Planned Change Approaches for Understanding the Process of Change The Program Design Process 2. Getting Started Step 1--Selecting a Problem Area for Analysis Step 2--Organizing for Program Design Summary 3. Diagnosing the Organizational Setting Step 1--Describing the Performance Gap Step 2--Rating Individual Factors Step 3--Rating Organizational Factors Step 4--Identifying Environmental Factors Step 5-- the Feasibility of a program Design Project Summary 4. Generating Public Support Step 1--Restating the Problem as an Issue Step 2--Identifying the Likely Actors Step 3--Estimating the Issue Position, Power and Salience of Each Actor Step 4--Calculating Weights and Probabilities Step 5--Identifying Strategies Summary 5. Preparing a Workplan Step 1--Defining the Problem Step 2--Describing the Current Program Step 3--Establishing the Project Scope Step 4--Describing the Program Design Methodology Step 5--Establishing and Assigning Work Tasks Step 6--Approving the Workplan Summary 6. Establishing Goals, Objectives and Performance Criteria Step 1--Reviewing Program Material Step 2--Defining Program Goals Step 3--Defining Program Objectives Step 4--Establishing Performance Criteria Summary 7. Developing Program Alternatives Step 1--Generating Program Alternatives Step 2--Screening Program Alternatives Step 3--Forecasting Step 4--Categorizing Alternatives Summary 8. Data Collection Step 1--Estimating Service Demand Step 2--Estimating Costs Step 3--Collecting Effectiveness Data Step 4--Collecting Feasibility information Summary 9. Synthesizing the Data Step 1--Organizing the Data Step 2--Comparing the Data Step 3--Drawing Conclusions Summary 10. Communicating the Results Step 1--Preparing the Draft Report Step 2--Reviewing the Draft Report Step 3-- Transmitting the Final Report Summary 11. Preparing for Implementation Step 1--Forming an Implementation Team Step 2--Preparing an Implementation Workplan Step 3--Methods for Monitoring Implementation Progress Step 4--Follow-up Strategies Summary and Conclusions Appendix A. Guide to Information Sources in Public Services Appendix B. Guide to Information Sources in Human Services Appendix C. Search Services Appendix D. Sample Program Design Report Glossary Annotated Bibliography

About the Author :
Leonard I. Ruchelman is Professor of Urban Studies and Public Administration at Old Dominion University.