3.7 How do we help people identify performance measures for their program or service?

The Short Answer There are many different ways to do this (see  3.1). Here’s one approach that goes directly to performance measures themselves: All performance measures (that have ever existed for any program in the history of the universe) fall into one of four categories, derived from the intersection of quantity and … Read More

3.8 What are the differences between the 4 quadrants?

The Short Answer (1) There are many classification schemes or typologies for performance measures that have used over the years. The 4 quadrant typology is a new way to account for all the different kinds of performance measures. And it can be used to diagnose other classification schemes for performance … Read More

3.9 What is the difference between 4 Quadrant performance measures and logic model performance measures?

The Short Answer 1. The 4 Quadrant method and logic model methods can be seen as complementary, not contradictory, approaches. 2. The 4 Quadrant model goes directly to the identification of performance measures, without a lot of preliminaries: What do we do? (quantity of effort = # clients served, # activities … Read More

3.10 How do we identify performance measures for administrative functions like personnel, budgeting, etc.?

Check out the updated version of this page here! The Short Answer 1. For each administrative activity, identify the measures (in the upper right quadrant) that describe how well that activity is performed. These usually have to do with timeliness (e.g. % of invoices paid in less than 30 days, … Read More

3.12 How do we select the most important ” headline” performance measures for my program or service?

The Short Answer 1. Identify the measures for which you currently have data. 2. Choose the most important using a forced choice process, asking: “If you had to talk about your program with just one of these circled measures, which one would it be?” 3. Identify your data development agenda … Read More

3.13 Where do we get the data to do this work? How do we get better data?

The Short Answer 1. Start with the data you already have. Most programs collect far more data than they use. Do not start the process by collecting new data. 2. Create new data where necessary. Be creative. Use common sense sampling techniques. Some data is better than no data. Full … Read More

3.14 What do we do with performance measures once we have them? How can we use performance measures to improve performance?

The Short Answer 1. Simple guiding principle: If it’s not useful, don’t do it.  2. If it’s useful to managers, then it will be useful to everyone else in the decision making process. 3. Use the Seven Questions about performance on a regular basis at every intersection between a supervisor and subordinate … Read More

3.15 How do we use performance measures in writing and overseeing grants and contracts?

The Short Answer 1. Partner with contractors in developing the system of reporting.  2. Establish a moratorium on penalties until the system has operated for 3 years.  3. Use non-cash rewards  4. Create safeguards against unintended consequences and perverse incentives,  5. Disseminate best practice information.  6. Operate the system with … Read More

3.16 How do we use performance measures in budgeting?

The Short Answer 1. Performance measurement is not a magic answer. Budgeting is about choices. And choices are about power and politics. Improving budgeting does not necessarily mean improving decisions. But budgets can be made better by presenting better choices and presenting them more clearly. 2. Performance budgeting can present … Read More