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Session Title: Valuing Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation: Current Practice in the Federal Government
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Panel Session 405 to be held in California C on Thursday, Nov 3, 2:50 PM to 4:20 PM
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Sponsored by the Government Evaluation TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Kathryn Newcomer, George Washington University, kathryn.newcomer@gmail.com
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Valuing Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation: Current Practice in the Federal Government - Analysis and Use of Performance Information
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| Kathryn Newcomer, George Washington University, kathryn.newcomer@gmail.com
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The view that the federal government should operate in the most efficient and effective manner is shared by members of the government's executive and legislative branches, civil servants, the general public and industry alike. This view has resulted in a myriad of performance management and improvement initiatives designed to promote the use of performance measurement and program evaluation across the federal government. However, one crucial question remains: how has the use of these tools played out across the federal government? Kathryn Newcomer will present preliminary findings regarding: the procedures federal agencies have in place to analyze and use performance information; and the use of performance information by senior managers to inform decisions. These findings provide a glimpse into the current practices of a limited number of federal agencies and help illuminate the successes and challenges of implementing government-wide performance management and performance improvement initiatives.
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Valuing Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation: Current Practice in the Federal Government - Examining the Effects of the Budget and the President's Performance Improvement Initiatives
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| Rick Kowalewski, United States Department of Transportation, rick.kowalewski@dot.gov
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The current Administration, like others before it have adopted performance improvement initiatives designed to improve the efficient and effective operation of the federal government. While the calls for a lean, transparent and accountable government are not new, concerns about an increasing deficit and the elimination of duplicate government programs have raised questions regarding the extent these newly introduced initiatives can be used to better manage results government-wide. In support of the topic of current performance measurement and program evaluation practices in the federal government, Rick Kowalewski will present findings regarding the role and progress of the Performance Improvement Officer in moving forward the President's performance improvement initiative and performance improvement efforts. He'll also discuss the effects of current budget pressures and the current Administration's efforts to facilitate federal agencies' use of performance information through the development of High Priority Performance Goals and the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act.
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Valuing Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation: Current Practice in the Federal Government - The Priority and Use of Program Evaluation
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| Yvonne Watson, United States Environmental Protection Agency, watson.yvonne@epa.gov
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Program evaluation is an important component of a complete system of performance management, complementing and using performance measurement information to shed light on how well programs or strategies are working and why. Information obtained through better performance measurement and quality program evaluations provide insights that enable us to understand and replicate successes, and continuously improve programs. As part of the session that highlights current performance measurement and program evaluation practices in the federal government, Yvonne Watson will present findings regarding the current priority given to program evaluation in a select number of federal agencies. In addition, she will discuss the extent to which federal agencies value performance measurement and program evaluation as well as the extent to which value is synonymous with use.
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