Performance Measurement

Performance Measurement is about understanding what we get for the money we spend.

The Performance Measurement Practice provides direct support to colleagues across Government, helping them to:

Features

Performance frameworks and board reporting

The NAO's Performance Measurement Practice has published a best practice study on Performance Frameworks and Board Reporting. This draws on a range of literature, a survey of Government practice, and public and private sector case studies.

Read full article: Performance frameworks and board reporting

The use of sanctions and rewards in the public sector

This report contributes to the debate on incentivising public sector performance. It brings together the evidence on the effectiveness of sanctions and rewards (we commissioned Deloitte to conduct a review of the literature), summarises the results of our survey on their use in central government, and provides a practical guide on how to use them well.

Read full article: The use of sanctions and rewards in the public sector

Costing performance

The Performance Measurement Practice are working to shape the emerging public sector debate about more closely linking financial and performance management and reporting. We have monitored the introduction of the Comprehensive Spending Review closely.

Read full article: Costing performance

The Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and the changes that it brings

With the announcement of the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR07) in October 2007, the Government has introduced the biggest reform of the public sector performance measurement and management regime in a decade. This article provides an overview of the changes.

Read full article: The Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and the changes that it brings

Setting up a framework for performance information

The NAO, in conjunction with HM Treasury, Cabinet Office, Audit Commission and Office for National Statistics, have published a good basic guide to setting up a performance measurement system in an organisation.

Read full article: Setting up a framework for performance information

Targeting inequalities

Narrowing the gap between disadvantaged groups and the rest of the country is a focus for public sector management. There has, however, been limited progress in tackling inequalities. The National Audit Office recently examined the use of targets to explicitly address differentials in performance. The examination showed that, while targets can have a positive impact in this area, their implementation must be underpinned by sound research and effective performance management.

Read full article: Targeting inequalities