SG Centre of Expertise in Appraisal and Evaluation

Both appraisal and evaluation are key parts of effective policy making in the SG. Appraisal helps decision makers choose between options before implementation. Evaluations provide evidence of how an intervention has worked after implementation and for learning lessons.

The aim of the Centre’s work is to ensure that SG’s policies and interventions offer value for money and for us to learn what works and what does not. It has responsibility for delivering the SG evaluation action plan (August 2024).

To deliver this aim the Centre’s work is focused around four themes:

• to develop a stronger culture of appraisal and evaluation in the SG through better training and guidance
• to improve the SG’s appraisal and evaluation activities
• make better use of the evidence which we collect as part of these activities
• greater openness and transparency in relation to our appraisals and evaluation

The Centre is jointly led by the SG’s Chief Economist and Chief Social Researcher.

Read more information on evaluation in the SG.

Find evaluations

All final reports of Scottish Government evaluations are published on gov.scot and can be found using search.

Details of new, ongoing and recently published Scottish Government evaluations are on the Cabinet Office's Evaluation Registry.