ABSTRACT
As described in Chapter 2, systems models of the policy process call laws, decisions, regulations, and the like outputs of the policy system. Policies regulating environmental health or national security are one type of output; the actual services provided by the government in monitoring pollution or in securing airplanes are also outputs. Outputs are generally easily understood, both conceptually and in concrete form. It is much harder to measure the outcomes of all this effort. Both outputs and outcomes are important to measure, but for different reasons. Outputs allow one to figure out how to link resources to the output of an organization. Consider the
college or university you attend. How do we measure the performance of the university? Through factors such as number of students graduated, the graduation rate, time to completion of degrees, and so on. But these figures are outputs, not outcomes. Outcomes are the result of what happens when your college or university graduates all these students and they enter the world. Are students prepared for the job market? Will they be able to compete with others on the job market? Will they make significant contributions to society through artistic expression, scientific discovery, or excellent business management or entrepreneurial enterprise? Policy analysis engages these sorts of questions.
