XN000022-1973-10-06 — Page 6

Saturday, October 6, 1973

THE MERITS OF EVALUATION

E

We live in a world of projects and even the best of projects can

go wrong because of unpredictable factors.

This is something we all must bear in mind in whatever we do,

says Mr. K.W.J. Topley, Director of Social Welfare, because what should

work in theory may turn out differently in pratice.

fied.

He said there is a very large number of variables to be identi-

You can always miss out a variable or the principles of their

interaction may be imperfectly understood or a dynamic factor can enter

as when human beings hear about a prediction and determine to prove it

false.

"So, when we make plans, we try to think of everything but we

must not be surprised if things do not go quite as expected. Even if the

plan works in a sense perfectly, we have to deal with the unintended effects

of our actions."

Mr. Topley was speaking at the opening ceremony today of the

1973 Hong Kong Junior Chamber National Convention at the Kiangsu-Chekiang

College.

He told the gathering it would be a very good idea then, because

of uncertainty in human affairs, to evaluate the degree of success or

failure of every project undertaken.

He said