Performance

Introduction

We have produced a general overall of best value and performance measurement. We constantly think of ways to improve the services that we deliver. Continous service improvement and the delivery of positive change amount to a big challenge.

An Introduction to Best Value & Performance Measurement

Performance management is the activity of tracking performance against targets and identifying opportunities for improvement - but not just looking back at past performance. The focus of performance management is the future - what do you need to be able to do and how can you do things better? Managing performance is about managing for results. Performance-based management at any level in the organisation should demonstrate that:

• you know what you are aiming for
• you know what you have to do to meet your objectives
• you know how to measure progress towards your objectives
• you can detect performance problems and remedy them

In response to the pressure and opportunities for improving organisational performance, we need to understand how to define and measure performance as part of a concerted strategy for relevant, successful and cost-effective operations.

Critical factors for success

• Focusing on outcomes that meet business objectives, rather than outputs
• Managing performance by cascading down from the top and building bottom-up
• Measuring effectiveness (doing the rght things) and efficiency (doing things right)

As a local authority, we are faced with a number of competing challenges, all which rely on effective performance management and measurement. Comprehensive Performance Assessment is part of the Governments agenda to modernise local government and to improve its services.

Managing our performance is about practical ways to improve how we undertake our business. Its sole purpose is to enable us to deliver better quality services for the people of North Dorset. Performance might be at an individual, team, service, corporate or community level and applying this to the whole orgnisation requires systematic application and co-ordination.

How are we performing?

We are required by Government to collect information about our performance. There are various sources of performance information available about your council to enable you to track our performance over a period of time.

Managing performance is about practical ways if improving how we do things. Its only purpose is to deliver better quality services to local people.

Performance monitoring is an ongoing process that is incorporated into the way our services are managed. Many of our performance indicators are monitored on a regular basis so that we know what is happening over a period of time. We wish to identify if and why targets are not being met.

The process is critical to the success of Best Value, which expects continuous service improvement and requires services to be delivered in the most efficient, effective, and economic way possible.

Our Corporate Plan and Annual Report gives more information. You can also read our latest Performance Update reports.