SPPM 697 PM Performance Management

Course Description

This course will focus on the fundamentals for designing and using a performance-based management framework in the public sector, specifically in the U.S. at the federal, state, local, and nonprofit levels. It will provide a working understanding of how to develop and apply “useful measures that are used” – a simple statement that is devilishly difficult to actually do, but is fundamental for every public manager to be successful.

The goal is to develop your tacit knowledge -- in addition to explicit knowledge -- about public sector organizational performance management. This will be done via readings, discussion, jointly developing a “playbook” of tools for performance management, and jointly developing an assessment of the Biden Administration’s approach to performance management in federal agencies via their four-year strategic plans covering federal fiscal years 2022 – 2026 (these plans will be publicly released in March 2022).

Learning Objectives

The overall objective of this course is for you to develop a working understanding of performance management systems that you can apply as a leader in various organizational settings in the public sector. More specifically, you will be able to:

• Understand the evolution of the performance management movement in the U.S. and how it fits into broader public management reforms.
• Understand and apply key concepts and terms.
• Understand key practices in developing and using performance information and evidence in decision making and improving performance.
• Develop an understanding of how to assess the strengths and weaknesses of different performance model; and how they link to other management systems in an organization.
• Identify and use resources and networks to support a performance management initiative with which you may be involved.

In addition, you will:

• Develop critical thinking skills that will support evidence-based decision-making in the public sector, by assessing an organization’s existing performance management framework and developing a plan for improvements, and
• Demonstrate ability to write effective memoranda and deliver effective presentations,
  individually and in groups.