Examining Target Theory as a Philosophical Ground to Conceptualise Monitoring and Evaluation in South African Public Service

Public service delivery as a product of a good plan underpinned by a theoretical ground conceptualised as the ultimate product. While the study of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)1 is well researched, the question arises as to what philosophical underpinnings inform it. It is out of a conviction that philosophy is predictive of the nature of a phenomenon. For ease of logic, target theory locates a pre-emptive life sequence through planned service delivery, and M&E is assumed to be an instrument that measures the outcomes against the targets. On the other hand, it is assumed that M&E is anchored by grey target and system theories, system decision-making in which it is difficult from a philosophical point of view to dislocate these theoretical frameworks from public service delivery trajectories. In this context, the study of interconnectedness remains fundamental in establishing how these concepts impact and play out in public service delivery. This study reviews literature based on desktop issues to explain the conceptual nature and experience of the theoretical underpinning and M&E interlink. The study concludes and recommends added scholarly value that connects theory and practice.