Evaluation Criteria
How to select and apply criteria for comparing policy options — effectiveness, efficiency, equity, feasibility, and more.
Core Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation criteria are the standards against which policy alternatives are judged. Common criteria include:
Effectiveness — Does the policy actually solve the problem? By how much?
Efficiency — Does it achieve its goals at the lowest cost? What is the ratio of benefits to costs?
Equity — Who bears the costs and who receives the benefits? Does it disproportionately burden vulnerable groups?
Political feasibility — Can it pass? Will key stakeholders support or block it?
Administrative feasibility — Can existing institutions implement it? Does it require new capacity?
Legality — Is it constitutional and consistent with existing law?
The choice of criteria is itself a value judgement. An analysis that weights efficiency heavily will reach different conclusions from one that prioritises equity. Good analysts are transparent about their criteria and weightings.
