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Idaho Transportation
Department

Office of Communications
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563

 


Performance Management to be foundation
for department decisions

A two-day workshop in Boise this week helped lay the foundation for ITD’s emphasis on organizational values and performance management. The sessions Monday and Tuesday at District 3 included presentations by:

  • Tom DeCoster, a national transportation authority who has delivered leadership training to the American Association of State Transportation and Highway Officials (AASHTO)
  • Pete Rahn, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation and former director of the New Mexico Department of Transportation who introduced a new performance-based plan to the department, and
  • Gordon Proctor, former director of the Ohio Department of Transportation and an expert on Performance Management principles

Performance Management is a system that lends itself well to the functions of a transportation department, explains ITD Director Pam Lowe.
 
Implementation by other departments has created breakthrough performance improvements, Proctor adds.
 
“To be successful, however, it should be combined with traditional emphasis upon strategic management, quality principles and other techniques that provide it a strategic framework. Also, essential is strong leadership from the top to support its adoption,” Proctor says.
 
What is Performance Management?
It is an on-going process that translates strategic goals to relevant and detailed measures, which then are tracked to ensure uniform achievement of institutional goals.
 
It not only guides efforts, it communicates outcomes throughout the organization, Proctor explains. Its principles should be “linked to long-term strategies and should be the way you do business.”
 
A Performance Management system is a proven means by which core business operations can be improved and through which resources can be deployed effectively. Such systems have resulted in dramatic performance improvement when deployed in the U.S. and abroad.
 
“Just as important, they provide a system and template by which performance can be measured and reported to the public and to policymakers.”
 
Why emphasize Performance Management?

Underlying Performance Management principles are becoming essential components of national transportation programs. The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission called for Performance Management to be integrated into the federal transportation programs.  It likely will be incorporated into an overhaul of the federal transportation policy.
 
ITD’s adoption of Performance Management principles is, in part, a response to Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s executive order this year that outlines specific performance standards for the department.
 
When implemented, Performance Management at ITD will:

  • Result in direction-established priorities that identify what gets measured
  • Enhance credibility with legislators, the governor’s office, the news media and the public
  • Increase accountability, helping ITD to make decisions and operations that are transparent and easily understood
  • Create a strong management tool that can determine efficiency and effectiveness of programs or strategies

In common terms, Performance Management will define what “dong the job well” means in unambiguous terms, illustrates which polices and practices work well and those that don’t, and connects and aligns all work and employees to strategic goals.

Published 5-8-09