Program analysis in the health field

Though the term probably originated among the proponents program budgeting in the 1960s, the activities that comprise program analysis date at least from the days of the utilitarians in 19th century Britain. These activities are: (1) specification of goals; (2) identification of different ways to reach goals; (3) estimation of costs; (4) linking of costs and outcomes; (5) weighing and comparing of alternatives. Of these, the linking of costs and outcomes is the most difficult and the most important. There is no "technique" that can be simple "applied" to the problem. The solution must be problem specific. Nor should cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness be viewed as "techniques" that will determine social choice. They can only serve as guides when alternatives are compared. The value of program analysis will always depend on tis political and administrative environment. Both managers and analysts can contribute to its usefulness if they attend to that environment.