Comparing Approaches to Performance Measurement

Performance measurement has become so widespread that it is impossible to know all that is taking place within governments across the world.1 Also, the labels and the focus of performance measurement systems shift, usually when a new government takes office. Positive, action-oriented words are usually chosen as names for such systems — 'Measuring Up' in Alberta, the 'Oregon Benchmarks', the 'Minnesota Milestones' and 'Best Value' in the United Kingdom. Despite such inspirational language, some of the early leading performance measurement systems have recently been reduced in scope or dropped entirely. Keeping track of the rise and fall of performance measurement systems is made somewhat easier by the Internet (government websites, on-line reports and electronic journals) but the problem has become information overload and knowing what credibility should be assigned to the ‘official’ descriptions, given that governments are interested in promoting the best possible reputation for their efforts.