Why has performance measurement become increasingly important in government?
Fundamental of Public Administration PPA 101
NANCY GENOVA, MPA
INSTRUCTOR/ CHAPTER 10 ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM, PRODUCTIVITY & PERFORMANCE (P. 361-391)
Objective
- Understanding the motivations for contemporary administrative reform movements
- Examining how NPM and reinvention are related to issues of quality and productivity
- Exploring the impact of advances in technology on government and governance
- Understanding the importance of performance measurement in the public sector
- Learning about productivity improvement strategies
The “New Public Management” (NPM,) Reform Movement
- Since the late 1970’s early 1980’s many countries began to discuss cost saving way to provide public services looking at the impact that the changing global economy was having
- NPM key principles are; mission driven, decentralized and incentive based, accountability, responsiveness, and commitment to outcome based governance
NPM Has Changed How Government Operates & Its Role in Governance System
Government Performance & Results Act (GPRA) key reform oriented initiative changed how government operates
There are benefits to the act; strengthen programmatic communities, asked the right questions, effectively reporting performance
Critiques say that it wants to run government like a business which is not the same thing and requires citizens to be customers when they are not they are the owners of government; asking them to like or dislike services and wanting administrators to change delivery of those services
The Key Benefits & Barriers to Performance Management
- GPRA required federal agencies to develop long term strategic plans and annual performance plans outlining strategies and resources needed to meet performance goals and to produce annual reports on outcomes achieved
- In performance management you cannot account for all variables so the outcomes might not reflect the most accurate picture of success and/or challenges
The Factors That Contribute to Success in Performance Management
- The design is important and taking into account what you need to measure (p. 383)
The Changes in the Image of Public Service Over the Last 30 Years
- Public service has been very important to development of our country
- However, many citizens have been critical of public service agencies for spending too much and not doing enough
- New trends for public administrators is to be aware of globalization and expanding the role of citizens in the government process
How to Attract & Recommend the “best & the brightest” In Public Service
- Outreach through relationships with professional organization
- Specialty websites endorsed by professional organizations
- Internships!
- Offering bonuses to employees for locating ‘good’ recruits
- Offering competitive pay, promote a culture of performance
Future Trends in the Field of Public Administration
Be skilled in process of inspiring and mobilizing others
Understand the importance of political competency in the process
Learn to look at the bigger picture (global view)
Facilitation, negotiation, collaboration, technology
Access community needs, values, opportunities, challenges,
Implications
- Public Administration has undergone evolutionary process since it’s inception as a field of study during President Wilson
- All careers evolve or become absolute
- Keep that in mind in your evolution as a professional
Resources
- The following is a link to global perspectives on New Public Management:
- OECD Public Management and Governance Service: (www.oecd.org).
- The following are links to information about digital government and governance:
- National Center for Digital Governance: (http://www.umass.edu/digitalcenter/index.html).
- Center for Technology in Government: (www.ctg.albany.edu).
- National Science Foundation Digital Government Research Program: (www.digitalgovernment.org).
- The following are links to information about government performance:
- Performance.gov: (www.performance.gov).
- Office of Management and Budget: (www.whitehouse.gov/omb/performance).
- OMB Watch: (www.ombwatch.org/government_performance/).
- Congressional Institute: (www.conginst.org/).
