Data-Driven City Government, 20 Years After CitiStat
This content was originally published by Pew Charitable Trusts, and can be accessed here.
Data-driven performance management in local government came to the forefront 20 years ago with the creation of CitiStat in Baltimore. The idea was that collecting data about government operations—and holding officials accountable for what the numbers showed—would create incentives for improvement. Since then, numerous cities and counties, including Pew's hometown of Philadelphia, have followed Baltimore’s lead with varying degrees of effectiveness and commitment. In this recorded webinar, experts from across America explore where we are now.
Panelists include:
--Moderator Anjali Chainani, founder and principal of Anavi Strategies
--Dan Hymowitz, director of the mayor’s office of performance and innovation in Baltimore
--Beth Blauer, associate vice president for public sector innovation at Johns Hopkins University
--Rochelle Haynes, managing director of What Works Cities, launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies
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Among the takeaways:
--For performance management to work, there must be a direct link between the data being collected and outcomes that are desired in the here and now.
--An effectively designed performance management system can be a strong internal communications tool that creates a shared sense of purpose among local officials.
--As much as possible, performance management should be kept separate from a city’s budget process.
--Transparency and public accountability are vital parts of performance management.