Optimal conducts rigorous evaluations of a wide range of social programs. Social scientists at Optimal have expertise spanning diverse disciplines, including workforce development, welfare reform, education policy, and child welfare and economic development policy. Optimal staff also have experience in all evaluation contexts: experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental designs. We can design demonstrations and experiments for new initiatives to meet our clients' diverse needs.

Our evaluation studies often combine qualitative and quantitative methods to rigorously examine program impact as well as program operation and implementation. In addition, Optimal has expertise in cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness studies.