Performance Management in Local Government: A Guide to Improving Public Outcomes Through Evidence-Informed Decisions

Performance Management in Local Government is a comprehensive guidebook for local public managers on the effective use of performance management systems to improve public outcomes. Drawing on practical experience, case studies, and decades of research, this book demystifies the performance management process for local government leaders, offering actionable strategies for implementation, integration, and sustainability. Author Obed Pasha explores the historical evolution of performance management, its symbiotic relationship with strategic planning, and the ecosystems required for success. Addressing common pitfalls, such as data manipulation and goal displacement, he provides tools for fostering a performance-oriented organizational climate, gaining workforce support, and navigating political realities.

Through detailed chapters on measurement, analysis, decision-making, and action planning, readers learn how to design robust systems that balance effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. Case studies – including the City of Mesa’s “Trees Are Cool” initiative – illustrate real-world application and the impact of performance management on community outcomes. Serving as
both a practical manual and a scholarly resource, Performance Management in Local Government blends theory with practical guidance to help public managers make evidence-informed decisions that enhance organizational performance and public trust. The book is ideal for practitioners in city and county management, department heads, and supervisors across all local government entities in the United States. Elected officials and academics, as well as students in public administration programs and professional development courses, will also find the book invaluable.

Obed Pasha is Associate Professor of Public Management and Director of the North Carolina Benchmarking Project in the School of Government at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.