PAF 9173 Program Audit and Performance Measurement

Course Description

“Performance” is a widely used concept that that has two distinct foci: First is performance as political accountability. This focus is a contract between program managers as agents and political decision makers as principals that gives managers a freer hand at how to do their work and gives the decision makers clear information on whether results are accomplished. Second is performance as management practice. This focus maintains an information system that advises managers what is happening within their organization with particular attention to whether desired results can be expected from day-to-day operations. We study both foci in this course. This course does not address personnel performance review.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
• situate performance measurement in the context of a strategic plan,
• develop a set of performance measures,
• determine whether performance measures are sufficiently rigorous to use,
• set usable and achievable, but challenging, targets,
• determine the political implications of particular measures,
• develop initial steps for using performance as a management practice,
• explain the role of performance measurement and related practices in democratic governance,
• identify potential sources of dysfunction and strategize to remediate them,
• Write a concise analysis of performance measures and targets supported by validating sources, and
• Make an oral presentation concerning a performance measurement plan.