Performance measurement

The use of sanctions and rewards in the public sector (PDF - 1064 Kb). This report contributes to the debate on incentivising public sector performance. It brings together the evidence on the effectiveness of sanctions and rewards, summarises the results of our survey on their use in central government, and provides a practical guide on how to use them well. Discussions about how to lever greater levels of performance increasingly propose the use of these measures.

Costing Perfomance: Departmental Strategic Objectives. We commissioned some work with two volunteer Departments in Spring 2008 to assess the measurability, relevance and costability of Departmental Strategic Objectives - with a view to informing wider guidance on integrating financial and performance management and reporting. Accenture - Example working with Department for International Development (DFID) (PDF - 1004 Kb), KPMG - Example working with Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) (PDF - 2997 Kb).

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 NAO 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.

Setting Key Targets for Executive Agencies: A Guide (PDF - 515 Kb). This guidance has been developed to help those involved in the process of agreeing targets for Executive Agencies set challenging targets that will help deliver the outcomes and the standard of service delivery the public expect. This publication was produced jointly by the NAO, HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office in November 2003.

Key questions for Departments on implementing Public Service Agreements (PDF - 12Kb). This document was taken from pages 10-12 of the NAO Value for Money report, "Measuring the Performance of Government Departments" (HC 301, 2000-2001) published in March 2001.

Choosing the right FABRIC - a framework for performance information (PDF - 1,902 Kb). A joint publication by the NAO, HM Treasury, Cabinet Office, Audit Commission and Office for National Statistics summarising our common thinking on this subject, in particular the need for a good system of performance information to be Focused, Appropriate, Balanced, Robust, Intergrated and Cost Effective (2001).

Checklist for Chief Executives of Agencies and NDPBs in setting up and reviewing their performance measurement systems and presenting results (PDF - 37 Kb). This document was taken from pages 7-9 of the NAO report, "Good Practice in Performance Reporting in Executive Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies" (HC 272 1999-2000, March 2000)