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Development of Criminal Justice Performance and Activity Measures - Final Report

NCJ Number
83849
Date Published
1982
Length
215 pages
Annotation
This progress report on the British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General's experience in implementing improved procedures for management planning and control emphasizes the process being followed and the framework being used to implement a particular system of activity and performance measurement.
Abstract
Events leading up to the National Work Group Project Four and efforts to implement it are reviewed, and the ministry is described, including its various functional components and the objectives for each function. The specific terms of reference for the project and some general comments on problems in developing performance indicators are then presented, followed by descriptions of provincial systemwide initiatives in this area and the key indicator summary formats developed during the project. The implementation process and a procedure for future development are delineated, including examples of how some of the data are presented and a brief description of the methodology used in the forecasts. The approach adopted in the project emphasizes (1) the identification of indicators which can be supported by existing data bases, (2) the development of consensus among senior managers within the operational divisions and ministry headquarters regarding the utility of activity and performance measurement in general and the appropriateness of specifically identified measures in particular, (3) the integration of the activity and performance measurement process within a more general framework of strategic planning for management control, and (4) the importance of linkage activity and performance measures to historic and current expenditure levels. The appendixes contain an elaboration of certain material in the body of the report. Graphic data and illustrations are presented, along with 31 references. (Author summary modified)