Document Type : Exploratory

Authors

• Majid Mokhtarianpour ¹
• Mohamadhossein Hajiabadi ²
• Aliasghar pourezzat ³

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Policy Making and Administration, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Public Policy and Public Administration, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

³ Professor, Department of Public Policy and Public Administration, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Development programs are widely regarded as engines of progress across nations; however, Iran’s experience over more than seven decades reveals that failures in implementation have far outweighed successes. A central challenge lies in the absence of a systematic and comprehensive evaluation framework capable of assessing both goal attainment and program effectiveness. Without a coordinated and transparent system, the results and impacts of development initiatives remain undocumented, hindering evidence-based decision-making for future economic, social, and cultural reforms.

This study was conducted with the aim of identifying and formulating the core components of an evaluation system for Iran’s development programs. The research addresses the critical question of how effective elements and appropriate indicators can be designed to ensure that such programs operate more efficiently and are better aligned with the country’s strategic objectives.

To achieve this aim, the study employed bibliometric analysis of research published between 1976 and early 2025, using VOSviewer software. The analysis categorized evaluation indicators into four major clusters: (1) transparency and good governance (including disclosure, independent oversight, governmental accountability, and anti-corruption measures); (2) analysis and technology (data-driven assessment, technological innovation, data mining, simulation, and online platforms); (3) participation and civil society (public involvement, social consensus, civic demands, and participatory monitoring); and (4) evaluation and policy-making (rigorous planning, alignment with higher-level policies, systematic evaluation processes, and integrative reporting).

The findings highlight the necessity of a structured evaluation system that strengthens accountability, enhances evidence-based governance, and brings development programs closer to achieving Iran’s long-term national goals.

Keywords

• Development program evaluation
• Economic development
• Social development
• Cultural development
• Text mining

Main Subjects

• Other