The ICMA Center for Performance Analytics has awarded Certificates in Performance Management to 53 local governments that demonstrate a commitment to collecting, using, and sharing performance data. These certificates, awarded annually, recognize performance management programs, encourage comparative analysis, and reward transparency.

The recipients are listed on the ICMA website and will be officially recognized at ICMA’s 102nd Annual Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, September 25-28, 2016.

“The certificate program recognizes communities that have demonstrated leadership in continuous improvement and community engagement using performance analysis,” said ICMA Executive Director Robert J. O’Neill Jr. “Performance analysis is an integral component of professional local government management, and jurisdictions meeting the certificate qualifications serve as examples for other governments to follow.”

Certificates are based on established criteria and are awarded at three levels—Achievement, Distinction, and Excellence (the highest level):

• Recipients at all levels collect and verify data to ensure reliability, train staff in performance measurement, and report data to the public through budgets, newsletters, and/or information provided to elected officials.
• Certificates of Distinction are awarded to those who also use performance data in strategic planning and operational decision-making and share their knowledge with other local governments through presentations, site visits, and other networking activities.
• Certificates of Excellence go to those who, in addition, track and report key outcomes in addition to inputs and outputs, survey residents and local government employees, incorporate data into performance dashboards or other visual communications, and foster the development of a performance culture throughout their organizations.

Applicants for the certificates submit data reports, planning documents, training manuals, and other supporting materials and make them available for ICMA to share with others. Here are four examples from this year’s recipients:

• Bellevue, Washington, surveyed members of the local business community, asking them to rate the city “as a place to operate a business” compared with other cities and towns. A color-coded graphic shows how Bellevue stacked up against the others on each of 12 key attributes.

• A Municipal Benchmarking Report published by Greer, South Carolina, uses color-coded graphs, dashboards, and other visuals to show how its performance compares with other jurisdictions. Comparisons include population, housing units, percentage with at least a high school education, income, and numerous budgetary and financial measures.
• San Mateo County, California, provides a portfolio of training resources to support staff at every stage of involvement in the county’s Collaborative Performance Management System.

• A narrative discussion of performance around key metrics from Olathe, Kansas, lists key measures, explains how the target for each measure is determined, and provides an analysis of results and any variance from the target.

The Certificate Program website page provides links to dozens of examples of public reporting formats, scorecards, strategic plans, and other initiatives by Certificate recipients.

Criteria for the 2017 certificates will be announced in November 2016. For further information, contact performanceanalytics@icma.org.