Performance
Measurement
Introduction
Performance
Measurement
Introduction
Over the past several years the Connecticut General Assembly has taken numerous actions to develop a performance measurement system. The state has adopted statutes addressing many of the elements of such a system and several mechanisms are in place to provide performance-based information to the General Assembly.
Despite these
efforts, many members of the program review committee were concerned Connecticut
was lagging behind other states in the performance measurement area.
In response, the committee authorized a study of the topic on March 9,
1999.
The purpose of the study was to
identify ways to strengthen and systematize the availability and use of
performance measurement information for the Connecticut General Assembly. As
used in this report, performance measurement means the systematic measuring of
agency or program activities, outputs, and outcomes, and their relationship to
the objectives of the agency or program.
In preparing this report the
committee and its staff reviewed numerous documents dealing with performance
measurement in theory and practice. The committee’s focus was on the
applicability to Connecticut of various operating models.
The state’s existing performance measurement efforts were also examined
with a view toward determining their compatibility with each of the models.
The report is divided into three
chapters. The first provides
background information including the elements of a good performance measurement
system, an outline of two basic performance measurement models, and a brief
description of the practices followed in selected states.
The second chapter identifies existing Connecticut statutes dealing with
key elements of a good performance measurement system and the entities
authorized to conduct performance measurement-type activities.
The final chapter contains an analysis of the state's existing performance review system. The chapter presents and assesses options outlining structures for producing performance measurement data and concludes with the committee’s recommendations.