Local Government faces major challenges today. These include the management of increasingly scarce resources; the provision of modern services in reponse to public needs; competition for services from outside local government; increasingly complex issues of political control and direction; and the challenge to local government autonomy by central government.

Provides a comprehensive theoretical and practical framework for informing budget decisions based on the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. The authors enliven the text with references to their original research and personal experiences with performance measurement, citizen satisfaction surveys, and financial management practices. This edition includes increased coverage of cost accounting procedures and of citizen participation in performance management.

​This book explains the basic concepts of the performance management, including the achievement of government goals, management capacity, administrative efficiency and policy effects. Taking Hangzhou, one of the largest cities in China, as an example, the book offers readers a new dimension through which the government can be understood and reformed—performance. Performance management has become an important component of public administration in China, and its use is beneficial in evaluating performance and social benefit. It also incentivizes civil servants to become more motivated and innovative, prevents the development of a bureaucratic atmosphere and facilitates communication between the public sector and the people. The book first introduces the concept of the performance management, providing a detailed description of its history, basic theories and its development. It then discusses the evolution of the system (from objective-based responsibility system evaluation to “vote for excellence”), its three basic areas (performance management on the national, local and municipal levels) and its key components: openness, democracy, accountability and performance. This book allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of government performance management in China and its contribution to the modernization of state governance and political legitimacy.

If you are not content to merely declare performance goals in mission statements or to rest your hopes on performance measurement to bring about change, find out how to lead an active strategy to push your organization toward improved performance. Leading Performance Management in Local Government walks you through a brief overview of performance measurement, and then delves into successful performance management practices. This collection of readings on performance measurement and management is packed with strategies and guidance from noted experts on leadership in government. Book jacket. ICMA Press is a leading publisher of books, reports, survey research, training materials, and other resources used by local government management professionals, municipal and county associations, and colleges and universities. Book jacket.