Expanding the scope of performance management: while performance management is often assumed to take place on a departmental or organizational level, it can also occur on a much smaller scale.(Solutions)

Many opportunities exist for taking advantage of a strategic approach that uses evidenced-based decision making. While performance management is often assumed to take place on a departmental or organizational level, it can also occur on a much smaller scale. The Government Finance Officers Association's recently published book, Capital Project Planning and Evaluation: Expanding the Role of the Finance Officer, suggests that finance officers should become more involved with the planning aspects of government to help set goals, determine priorities, and develop accountability and tracking mechanisms to make sure that capital projects deliver on promised results--but this concept applies to many things other than capital projects, including new services, initiatives, or programs.

Performance management on this level also goes beyond just the finance office--managers and employees throughout the organization can benefit from establishing clear goals and setting up performance measures to track and focus on results. Following the performance-based process described below will allow for a more effective use of resources, a greater focus on results, and more accountability and transparency for key stakeholders.

1) Define the purpose of the project

2) Define key indicators of success

3) Use the goals as a roadmap during the project

4) Communicate results

5) Review data to learn and improve