Process evaluation primarily focuses on which aspect of program implementation?

Process evaluation is fundamentally concerned with assessing how a practice, policy, or program is put into action. It measures the fidelity of implementation, meaning it examines whether the program is being delivered as intended, including adherence to the established methods and procedures. This evaluation type scrutinizes the operational aspects such as the quality of services rendered, the delivery mechanisms, and the extent to which the program reaches its intended population.

By focusing on implementation, process evaluation provides critical feedback that can inform improvements and adjustments during the program execution. It helps identify aspects of the program that may not be working effectively and can guide necessary modifications to enhance overall effectiveness.

While assessing client satisfaction, cost-effectiveness, and identifying unmet needs are important facets of program evaluation, they are not the primary focus of process evaluation. Instead, those dimensions often correlate with outcome evaluation or other evaluation types that assess overall impact rather than the implementation integrity itself.