Measuring the Quality of Management in Federal Agencies

A perennial question about government involves how well agencies manage their mission.

A hand reaches toward a digital interface displaying the term 'Key Performance Indicators' and the abbreviation 'KPI.' The futuristic dashboard features various business-related icons, including graphs, targets, and analytics visuals. The color palette is dominated by cool blue tones, creating a modern and technological atmosphere. The image emphasizes data-driven decision-making and business analytics.

By

James R. Thompson

Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration, College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs

University of Illinois Chicago (312)355-0304 jthomp@uic.edu

Alejandra Medina

Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Public Administration, College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs

University of Illinois at Chicago amedin54@uic.edu

How well are federal agencies managed?  Currently, no commonly accepted framework exists to assess the quality of agency management. In this special report, University of Illinois—Chicago authors James Thompson and Alejandra Medina take on this question.

Starting with a series of interviews with seasoned federal executives and other management experts, they explored ways that private industry and other countries have approached this question. Based on their research and a workshop with experienced federal leaders, they define six key building blocks that could serve as a foundation for designing and implementing a governmentwide initiative to measure the management quality of federal agencies.

Additionally, the Senior Executives Association is sponsoring a Task Force to tackle some of the design questions identified by Thompson and Medina.  The Task Force will be headed by Dr. Noha Gaber and other charter members drawn from the ranks of current and former government executives and several academics who have volunteered in their personal capacities to participate. 

Read the press release by the University of Illinois Chicago.

Watch the interview with John Kamensky on Government Matters.

Read the article, "Many Agencies Aren't Ready to Manage in a New World," by Government Executive.