Objectives

• Identify difficulties associated with performance measurement.
• Differentiate between efficiency and effectiveness.
• Identify the link between performance and accountability.

Discussion Board

1. Why is it so difficult to measure performance in the public sector?
2. If you were to design a new performance measurement system for a local government how would you start?
3. Looking at the various indicators, which do you feel is the most useful measure? Which do you see as the least useful?
4. What is most important, focusing on efficiency or effectiveness when deciding to establish a performance-based budget?
5. Can local governments ever reach the point where performance is completed for everything they do?