WASHINGTON, D.C., April 11, 2001—In an era of increasing competition for funding and heightened interest in holding public agencies accountable for meeting service standards, a new guide, Comparative Performance Measurement, shows public and nonprofit sector employees and managers how to compare their organization's performance with others.
Comparative performance measurement involves the collection of performance information from similar agencies or jurisdictions. Once the data are collected, managers can identify and understand differences in performance. As a rule, comparative performance measurement follows an agency's internal performance measurement, since an agency needs to understand its own performance before comparing itself to similar agencies.
"Ultimately, comparative performance measurement can motivate employees, lead to improvement of services, and hold agencies accountable," says Elaine Morley, a guide co-author and public management expert at the Urban Institute.
The guide, by Morley, Scott Bryant, and Harry Hatry, discusses different types of comparative performance measurement, how to decide what to compare, how to collect data, and how to analyze and report the results. The guide adds to a growing public management movement that includes performance measurement, privatization and managed competition, and Total Quality Management.
"Every agency is unique, so comparison efforts can face challenges," notes Hatry, a performance management expert and director of the public management program at the Urban Institute. "Comparative performance measurement also takes time, effort, and money—but the results can make all the difference to an agency's future."
To order a copy of Comparative Performance Measurement, by Elaine Morley, Scott Bryant, and Harry Hatry, call the Urban Institute Publication Sales Office toll-free at 1-877-UIPRESS or visit www.urban.org.
The Urban Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy research and education organization that examines the social, economic, and governance challenges facing the nation.
The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders.
Usage, posting and reprint of materials on the UI web site:
Most publications may be downloaded free of charge from the web site in PDF format. This information may be used and copies made for research, academic, policy or other non-commercial purposes. Proper attribution is required.
Copyright of the written materials contained within the Urban Institute website is owned or controlled by the Urban Institute. Posting UI research papers on other websites is permitted subject to prior approval from the Urban Institute—contact paffairs@urban.org.
If you are unable to access or print the PDF document please contact us or call the Publications Office at (202) 261-5687.
Latest Research
Browse by Topic:
Printer-friendly summary
