Government Performance and Results Act

Definition

The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) is a U.S. law enacted in 1993 aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of federal programs through performance measurement and results-oriented management. This act requires federal agencies to set goals, measure progress, and report on their performance, ensuring accountability and transparency in government operations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The GPRA mandates federal agencies to create strategic plans that outline their long-term goals and objectives.
2. Under the GPRA, agencies are required to prepare annual performance reports that assess progress towards achieving their goals.
3. The act promotes a culture of accountability by making performance data accessible to the public, allowing citizens to evaluate government effectiveness.
4. In 2010, the GPRA Modernization Act was passed to enhance the original GPRA by emphasizing data-driven decision-making and improving agency collaboration.
5. The GPRA has led to a more results-oriented approach in federal management, encouraging agencies to focus on outcomes rather than just outputs.

Review Questions

• How does the Government Performance and Results Act influence the way federal agencies operate?
  • The Government Performance and Results Act influences federal agencies by requiring them to set clear goals, measure their progress, and report outcomes to the public. This creates a framework for agencies to focus on results rather than just activities, encouraging them to improve efficiency and effectiveness. As a result, agencies are held accountable for their performance, leading to better use of taxpayer resources.
• Discuss the implications of performance measurement under the Government Performance and Results Act for public administration.
  • Performance measurement under the GPRA has significant implications for public administration as it shifts the focus from traditional bureaucratic processes to outcomes and results. By emphasizing measurable goals, public administrators must adapt their strategies and operations to ensure they meet these benchmarks. This shift fosters a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement within federal agencies, impacting how they plan, execute, and evaluate programs.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Government Performance and Results Act in enhancing government accountability and performance since its implementation.
  • Since its implementation, the effectiveness of the Government Performance and Results Act in enhancing government accountability and performance can be evaluated through various measures. While it has succeeded in establishing a framework for goal setting and performance reporting, challenges remain in ensuring consistent data quality and agency commitment. The 2010 GPRA Modernization Act aimed to address some of these issues by enhancing data-driven decision-making, suggesting an ongoing evolution in efforts to improve accountability in government operations. Overall, while progress has been made, continued focus on implementation is necessary for achieving its full potential.

Related terms

Performance Measurement: The process of evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs through specific metrics and indicators.

Strategic Planning: A systematic process used by organizations to define their strategy or direction and make decisions on allocating resources to pursue that strategy.

Accountability:

The obligation of government officials to report on the use of public resources and the outcomes of their actions to stakeholders.