The article considers the main tendencies of the government effectiveness evaluation practices development in the world. The investigation begins with its origins in the budgetary reform and, widely, the concept of New Public Management. The paper also examines the so called evaluation waves, stages of development and methods that have been used at each stage. At present, the government effectiveness evaluation is associated directly with strategic planning and finances. The main question is: to what extent the results obtained impact on further decisions, do the evaluations affect future budgets and policy implementation plans? Special attention is paid to American experience, since the USA is the leader in development and implementation of effective governmental practices. During a long history of such practices in the United States they have undergone numerous significant changes. However, this issue is very complicated and is not fully resolved even at present. The US experience is highly relevant and useful for Russia, where the public administration reform is still important. In Russia there are both projects and measures corresponding with the world tendencies in the government effectiveness evaluation field. At the same time, the adoption of foreign institutions may lead to negative results. The future of evaluation practices in Russia, on federal and regional level, pivots on development of relevant homegrown institutions and mechanisms in compliance with positive and negative international experience.