Performance measurement systems are usually intended to improve the eficiency and electiveness of programs or organizations (improve
Question:
Performance measurement systems are usually intended to improve the eficiency and electiveness of programs or organizations (improve performance). But, very fev organizations have taken the time to assess whether their performance measurement sys tems are actually making a difference. Suppose that the same organization that was referred to in Question 1 has implemented its performance measurement system Assume it is three years later. The department head now wants to find out whether the system has actually improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency's programs. Suppose that you are giving this person advice about how to design an evaluation project to assess whether the performance measurement system has "delivered." Think of this as an opportunity to apply your program evaluation skills to finding out whether this performance measurement system was successfully implemented. What would be possible criteria for the success of the system? How would you set up research designs that would allow you to see whether the system had the intended incremental effects? What would you measure to see if the system has been effective? What comparisons would you build into the evaluation design?