A spreadsheet application for evaluation sub-programs and projects Merit, Worth and Value

Abstract

Within the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), the Science Division undertakes scientific research, investigation, monitoring, analysis, evaluation and reporting on a range of natural resource environmental issues. Covering five broad areas of climate change; land and biodiversity; pollution; water; and community. In 2015, the Science Division managed 54 sub-programs and 144 projects that align to the agencies One Plan services and programs that deliver to the OEH corporate plan. Summerell et al., introduces the Performance Evaluation Framework (PEF). This is the first time such a process has been used in the Science Division to rapidly access its sub-programs and projects for merit, worth and value. The PEF provides a methodology to capture comprehensive, consistent and rigorous information from sub-program and project leaders. It provides ownership, transparency and a common platform for better understanding of how sub-program and projects deliver to five key benchmarks (i.e. roles of science); strategic organizational management; informing policy; program delivery; public information; and engagement of community in science. Currently no tool exists within the Science Division other than ad-hoc paper based and non-linked digital format documents. This results in incomplete and inconsistent data, which is difficult to compile and summarise. The result is minimal reporting ability and opportunity for fair assessment and comparison of a sub-program and project outcomes. To overcome these limitations a Microsoft Excel 2013 tool was developed for capture and reporting the PEF information (input/output). PEF information is multi-relational (one subprogram to many projects) and better suited to relational database development; however, Excel was used as an interim simplistic measure. Excel also aligned with other existing OEH financial systems and took into consideration limitations of end user software understanding. The development of a single tool to provide the capture and delivery of sub-program and project knowledge was crucial to the success of the PEF. The PEF tool allowed a level of information capture and reporting that has not been provided before within Science Division. The tool was highly accepted and regarded by Senior and Executive Leaders as a pivotal part of providing evidence of the Merit, Worth and Value of current science programs and its funding into the future. The tool allowed staff to evaluate their own projects against set benchmarks. It also provided the Senior and Executive Leaders with rigorous data to support a narrative of the value of science. In the end the tool enabled the Science Division to demonstrate how we deliver science to State, Departmental and community customers.