NCJ Number
88441
Date Published
January 1981
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Performance measures should be designed by people who understand the program whose performance is being measured, the people involved, and the organizational behavior.
Abstract
Performance measurement means obtaining information useful to someone in assessing how well an organization or program is working. It is a concept which is becoming increasingly popular at all levels of government in America. A review of the literature indicates that no single typology has been generally accepted as being best for performance measurement. Types of performance categories which are frequently cited in the literature include input, workload, process, output, quality, impact, efficiency, effectiveness, cost effectiveness, responsiveness, distribution, productivity, performance, and environment. Performance measurement can reduce uncertainty about programs in ways useful to a variety of decisionmakers. It can reduce the uncertainty involved in planning future courses of action and through knowing the consequences of past actions. In addition, it facilitates development of information which is required by the public with regard to accountability for the disposition of public moneys. One figure, 2 tables, and 15 reference notes are provided.
Date Published: January 1, 1981