Managing for Results: Challenges in Producing Credible Performance Information
Abstract
This report discusses the challenges federal agencies face in producing credible performance information-including the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the General Services Administration (GSA) -and the opportunities the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) provides for generating information to help Congress and other decisionmakers. As you know, GPRA was passed in part out of Congress' frustration over the fact that congressional policymaking, spending decisions, and oversight had been seriously handicapped by agencies' lack of clear goals and adequate program performance and cost information. To remedy that situation, GPRA requires agencies to set multiyear strategic goals and corresponding annual performance goals, measure performance toward the achievement of those goals, and publicly report on their progress. About 100 agencies, including DOT, EPA, and GSA, published a first set of strategic plans in 1997 and, as required, will issue updated plans by this September. These agencies also issued annual performance plans for fiscal years 1999 and 2000. Some agencies, such as EPA, have already published their plans for fiscal year 2001, and other plans will soon become available.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 22, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA375156
Entities
People
- J. Christopher Mihm
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office