Measurement and Performance Project

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The Measurement and Performance Project (MAPP) is one of a series of initiatives launched in March 1999 in the Modernising Government White Paper (chapter 3, paragraph 23), all looking how to support joint working between public sector organisations, and with the voluntary and private sector.  There are many factors which can help or hinder partnership working and whilst the White Paper takes a broad look at these, this project is looking specifically at performance measures. This is reflected in the aim of the project, which is as follows:

'To understand and improve the use of performance measures and targets in multi-agency working.'

In order to meet this aim, the project has the following objectives.

We have now carried out this investigation. Our findings, based on case studies completed for the partnerships involved in the project, are included in the project's first interim report. (rtf 284 kb). The evidence on which this was based also contributed to the Performance and Innovation Unit's report "Wiring it up". Chapter 7 of this report includes a reference to MAPP.

This objective has two outputs, i) guidance and supporting case studies for multi-agency partnerships on using performance measures to support their work, to be produced in autumn 2000, and ii) a resource centre on the Internet (please click here to access our electronic discussion forum). Also, in order to influence the next spending review, part of the work involved in producing output (i) will be a report for the Treasury, in spring 2000, on our findings to date.

The project’s final outputs, to be produced by autumn 2000, will be

Our approach to the project is to develop and take forward this work through an inclusive and collaborative network of local partnerships. The partnerships were established by existing initiatives, ie the project did not set up partnerships just for the sake of this work, and they are listed below.

Bradford Health Action Zone partnership - Details of Bradford’s Health Action Zone bid.

Bradford Crime and Disorder Partnership - Further information on Bradford’s Crime and Disorder audit.

Merseywise. A partnership of FE colleges, local authorities and Training and Enterprise Councils (covering Sefton, Liverpool, St Helen’s, Knowsley and the Wirral) seeking to widen access to post-16 education and training.

East Sussex and Brighton and Hove Drug Action Team.

Lewisham New Commitment to Regeneration Pathfinder - This is part of an initiative led by the Local Government Association (LGA)  to bring together and better co-ordinate schemes to provide economic an social regeneration.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Business Link - A partnership led by the Chamber of Commerce for Herefordshire and Worcestershire which provides support services to local businesses. Further information on business support can be found in the the DTI's White Paper "Building the Knowledge Driven Economy", which sets out the Government's latest policy for boosting competitiveness.

West Devon Environmental Network (WestDEN) - A registered charity which works with local level partnerships on Local Agenda 21 (environmental sustainability).

For more information, please contact Ian Slade by telephone (020 7 270 0633), fax (020 7 270 6136) or by e-mail islade@cabinet-office.gov.uk

Guidance on performance measures

There is a wide range of information and guidance, much of it available on the Internet, on measuring performance and setting targets. The Audit Commission have produced a paper Performance Measurement as a tool for Modernising Government which is a useful starting point for getting to grips with this subject.

A wide range of guidance is also published by the Government, such as performance measurement frameworks and examples of performance indicators, and the experiences of performance measurement in other countries. There are also various other sources of guidance, including the commercial sector and academia. These apply to both individual organisations and partnerships.

We have drawn up a list of these sources and would very much like to hear your views on this. 

Public Sector Productivity Panel. This Panel is chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and is comprised of senior business people, public sector managers and other experts who advise the Government on improving productivity. This website explains the work of the panel and the projects completed to date.

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