Evidence and Evaluation

The Administration is committed to building and using evidence to improve policy, program, budget, operational, and management decision-making. Our vision for effective and efficient government includes ensuring accountability for results, having the necessary analytical tools to measure outcomes and impacts, identifying and investing in effective practices, and transforming data into evidence that informs action. With stronger evidence, we can learn from and improve programs to better serve the American people.

Policy Guidance

• M-21-27 Evidence-Based Policymaking: Learning Agendas and Annual Evaluation Plans (June 30, 2021)
• M-20-12 Phase 4 Implementation of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018: Program Evaluation Standards and Practices (March 2020)
• M-19-23 Phase 1 Implementation of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018: Learning Agendas, Personnel, and Planning Guidance
• Government Reform: Strengthening Federal Evaluation – pg. 118-120 (June 2018)
• Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act (in Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018) – pg. 206–219 (February 2018)
• Monitoring and Evaluation Guidelines for Federal Departments and Agencies that Administer United States Foreign Assistance – OMB M-18-04 (January 2018)
• Using Evaluation as a Tool to Improve Programs – 2014 Economic Report of the President
• Guidance for Providing and Using Administrative Data for Statistical Purposes – OMB M-14-06 (February 2014)
• Next Steps in the Evidence and Innovation Agenda – OMB M-13-17 (July 2013)
• Evaluating Programs for Efficacy and Cost-Efficiency – OMB M-10-32 (July 2010)
• Increased Emphasis on Program Evaluations – OMB M-10-01 (October 2009)

Budget Materials

• Building and Using Evidence to Improve Government Effectiveness – FY 2020 Budget Analytical Perspectives Chapter 6
• Building and Using Evidence to Improve Government Effectiveness – FY 2019 Budget Analytical Perspectives Chapter 6
• Building and Using Evidence to Improve Government Effectiveness – FY 2018 Budget Analytical Perspectives Chapter 6
• Building and Using Evidence to Improve Results – FY 2017 Budget Fact Sheet
• Improving Outcomes through Pay for Success – FY 2017 Budget Fact Sheet
• Building the Capacity to Produce and Use Evidence – FY 2017 Budget Analytical Perspectives Chapter 7

Resources and Other Information

• White House Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Leveraging Data as a Strategic Asset (May 2018)
• The Promise of Evidence-Based Policymaking: Report of the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking (September 2017)
• Performance Partnership Pilots for Disconnected Youth (P3)
• Office of Evaluation Sciences, General Services Administration