The Operations Evaluation Group

The Operations Evaluation Group

A Short Administrative History of the Operations Evaluation Group, 1942-1961

Foreword: This paper provides a resume of the administrative, political, and fiscal history of the Operations Evaluation Group since its inception in 1942. As with any historical account, the objective is two-fold: first, to derive those lessons the past holds which appear applicable to present and future decisions; second, to improve understanding of present organizational concepts and relationships by reviewing the interplay of forces that created them. For several reasons--the purpose and scope of this review being one, security classification another--no attempt is made here to review the Group's research program. Major research trends and activities are of course touched on where they bear on administrative considerations; for the rest, and until a history of the research program is compiled, the reader is referred to those reports, studies, and indexes which are available to those authorized. This paper also presupposes familiarity with operations research, with the organization of the Navy, and with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; it only attempts to present a case history that may be of use to those associated with ( and therefore presumably knowledgeable about) military operations research in general or academically managed Naval operations research in particular.

Power for Development

This publication evaluates the performance of the World Bank Group (WBG) during the 1990s in promoting private sector development in the electric power sector in 80 countries. Main findings include that where countries showed a commitment to advancing reforms in promoting private sector development and where programmes were properly implemented, the expected benefits were delivered. However, quality of outcomes depended on the objectives pursued and on types of assistance provided, with most countries remaining in the early stages of reform.