Performance monitoring systems are a critical tool for municipalities trying to identify areas where they could deliver services more efficiently or effectively. Municipal service monitoring and benchmarking programs have become much more common over recent years. Known under a variety of names (e.g., Somerville’s program is called SomerStat), these “Stat” programs all use data to evaluate municipal and departmental performance. Somerville has run its successful SomerStat initiative for close to three years, and reports $10 million in realized or anticipated savings. Similar programs are operated in Amesbury and Springfield.
Performance measurement allows policy makers, managers, and citizens to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of government services. Performance measures include inputs (resources used), outputs (program activities), efficiency measures (ratio of inputs to outputs), and outcomes (the actual results of programs and services). Performance measures allow comparison of performance across departments within a municipality as well as comparisons across multiple municipalities. They can also be used to set performance objectives upon which incentives can be based. Stat programs also entail an ongoing series of integrated meetings during which municipal leadership and management review performance measures, evaluate the success of previous decisions and commitments, and establish a new set of performance objectives for each individual department and the municipality overall.
Stat programs require the commitment of municipal leadership, specifically the chief executive officer with managerial authority over departments. While there are many models, most Stat programs also require training and sometimes specialized software. Technical assistance and financial support for software and training are also necessary for more widespread adoption of Stat programs; both software and training could be procured regionally. The state should also support the development of a best practices guide for Stat systems and should establish standards for performance measures, so that they can be compared regionwide.
10.a The Legislature should fund an incentive program for municipal Stat systems
10.b Municipalities, with assistance from MAPC and the Collins Center at UMass Boston, should adopt appropriate elements of Stat programs to improve municipal performance