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Performance measurement

Public bodies, taxpayers and users need to be able to find out how well public money is being spent, especially when budgets have been cut and government spending needs to deliver more for less. To be able to assess the success of policies, programmes and major projects, government must build performance and value for money measures into design, and ensure that decisions are based on these measures.

A "performance framework" provides the information for those making decisions across an organisation to act coherently, address challenges and changes and explain actions taken. As a minimum, such a framework requires: an agreed set of outcomes for which the business is aiming; a realistic plan of what is needed to achieve them; data on performance against relevant measures; and a mechanism for identifying and overcoming obstacles that arise.

Key NAO publications:

Performance measurement: Good practice criteria and maturity model (Nov 2016)
Evaluation in Government (Dec 2013)
Option Appraisal: Making informed decisions in Government (May 2011)
Performance Frameworks and Board Reporting II (May 2011)
Taking the measure of government performance (July 2010)

Evaluating innovation in children’s social care

This report examines the Department for Education’s evaluation of the Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme.

Sector(s): Children and families, Education and skills

Performance Improvement area(s): Accountability in local service delivery, Local service delivery, Performance measurement, Transforming public services

Department(s): Department for Education

Published:
24 Jun 2022

Planting Trees in England

This report evaluates whether Defra’s management of new tree-planting schemes is likely to achieve value for money.

Sector(s): Energy and environment, Food and farming

Performance Improvement area(s): Environmental sustainability, Performance measurement

Department(s): Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Published:
4 Mar 2022

The Equipment Plan 2021 to 2031

This report examines whether the Ministry of Defence has managed to reduce the risks to affordability in its Equipment Plan.

Sector(s): Commissioning and contract management

Performance Improvement area(s): Cost reduction and affordability, Financial and risk management, Financial and service sustainability, Performance measurement

Department(s): Ministry of Defence

Published:
21 Feb 2022

Evaluating government spending

This report examines government’s progress in developing the provision and use of evaluation evidence across government.

Sector(s): Government, efficiency and transparency

Performance Improvement area(s): Financial and risk management, Major project delivery, Oversight of service delivery, Performance measurement

Department(s): Cabinet Office, HM treasury

Published:
2 Dec 2021

Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme

This report examines the performance, implementation, procurement and management of the Green Homes Grant scheme.

Sector(s): Energy and environment

Performance Improvement area(s): Commercial, Contract lifecycle, Environmental sustainability, Major project delivery, Operations and process management, Oversight of service delivery, Performance measurement

Department(s): Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Published:
8 Sep 2021

Investigation into the Windrush Compensation Scheme

This investigation covers the Home Office’s establishment and administration of the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Sector(s): Borders and immigration, Children and families, Welfare, Pensions and Employment

Performance Improvement area(s): Customer management, Operations and process management, Oversight of service delivery, People and Operational Management, Performance measurement

Department(s): Home Office

Published:
21 May 2021

Improving operational delivery in government

This guide will help senior leaders in government departments to manage and improve the way public services are delivered.

Sector(s): Borders and immigration, Government, efficiency and transparency, Local services, Welfare, Pensions and Employment

Performance Improvement area(s): Cost reduction and affordability, Customer management, Financial and service sustainability, Operations and process management, People and Operational Management, Performance measurement, Strategic centre of government, Transforming public services

Department(s): Cabinet Office, HM treasury

Published:
30 Mar 2021

Achieving government’s long-term environmental goals

This report examines how government has set itself up to deliver its long-term environmental goals.

Sector(s): Energy and environment

Performance Improvement area(s): Environmental sustainability, Major project delivery, People and Operational Management, Performance measurement

Department(s): Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Published:
11 Nov 2020

Asylum accommodation and support

This report examines the government’s replacement of the COMPASS contracts for accommodation and support for asylum seekers.

Sector(s): Borders and immigration, Children and families, Welfare, Pensions and Employment

Performance Improvement area(s): Accountability in local service delivery, Contract lifecycle, Customer management, Local service delivery, Major project delivery, Oversight of service delivery, Performance measurement

Department(s): Home Office

Published:
3 Jul 2020

Immigration enforcement

This report assesses whether the Home Office’s activities for enforcing immigration rules are achieving its vision.

Sector(s): Borders and immigration

Performance Improvement area(s): Performance measurement

Department(s): Home Office

Published:
17 Jun 2020