Measuring agency performance

State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie today commented on debate about government agency performance.

“I welcome debate about how government agencies are performing; it is an integral part of an open and transparent public management system.

“My view is that all agencies have room to significantly improve performance. It is important that they do so given rising public expectations of public services and the sustained fiscal constraints agencies face.

“The State Services Commission together with the other central agencies, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Treasury, is required to work with agencies to identify areas for improvement and to ensure that improvement occurs, and we are collectively putting more effort into this area.

“One aspect of this effort is the rollout of a robust methodology for the assessment of agency performance to drive improved agency performance and to inform public debate. The Performance Improvement Framework was piloted late last year and the first group of agencies are now going through the independent assessment process.

“The Performance Improvement Framework will ensure agencies, Ministers and the public will have a more systematic understanding of performance across the sector. The end result should be that the public receive more effective and efficient services for their taxpayer dollars.

“The results of the first round of Performance Improvement Framework assessments, and the agency action plans to drive improved performance will be published mid-year.

“It should also be noted that the recent publication of the results of the 2009 Kiwis Count, a survey of New Zealanders’ experience of their public services, showed that overall service quality is improving as is New Zealanders’ trust in their public services.”

More information on the Performance Improvement Framework: http://www.ssc.govt.nz/pif

More information on Kiwis Count: http://www.ssc.govt.nz/nzers-experience

ENDS

© Scoop Media