Programs play a critical role in providing services for individuals in need. In this post, we will look at what a program is and the traits that are often associated with a good program.

Definition

A program is an organized assortment of activities that are designed to achieve specific objectives. For example, a school might put together a math tutoring program. Within this program, there may be activities such as one-on-one tutoring, group tutoring, and peer support. All of these activities are being used to improve participants’ math ability to grade level.

A key point about programs is that the activities are not random but intentional. In other words, the program developers have the end in mind when they select the activities that they will use.

Good Program

There are several characteristics of a good program as well. Good programs will usually have individual(s) who are directly responsible for the success of the program. These people are usually local staff who are dedicated to the implementation of the activities associated with the program. For our math tutoring program, it would be necessary to place someone in charge and to find tutors as needed to support the students

Not only do good programs have committed staff good programs also have dedicated financial support in the form of a budget. Money must be set aside to implement the program. This can include paying staff, purchasing equipment/software, and other necessary items. For math tutoring, money may be needed for finding a location, advertising the program, paying tutors, purchasing supplies, etc.

Successful programs also have an identity. A program’s identity is the level of visibility it has with the public. Some programs have a national or international identity such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The level of identity depends on the purpose of the program. Many programs need a level of identity that reaches a neighborhood or city.

Associated with the program identity is the service philosophy. The service philosophy is the program’s beliefs of who should be served from the target population. Some programs believe they should not turn anybody away while others do not. As an example, our math program might only service students who are one grade below grade level and no more than two grades below as a maximum. A service philosophy can help a program to focus on who it is they are trying to serve.

Conclusion

The first step in developing a program is to have a clear idea of what a program is and what makes a program good or bad. This post provides a definition of a program as well as what are the characteristics of a good program. With this foundational knowledge, you can take the first step in developing a program that can help people in need.