Performance Management at King County

King County has been working for many years on developing a strong performance management system. In 2008, the county took a major step forward in placing into county code a countywide performance management framework that applies to all branches of county government. With the adoption of the Performance and Accountability Ordinance (Ordinance 16202 (844KB PDF)) and the related transparency motion (Motion 12791 (136KB PDF)), the Metropolitan King County Council established for the first time a countywide performance management expectation.

In addition to codifying many existing reports and practices (such as public reporting, public engagement, and the KingStat process), the new ordinance and motion call for some significant additions to the county's strategic planning efforts. The new ordinance and motion requires: a countywide strategic plan, citizen engagement to support the countywide planning effort, all agencies and departments to develop five year strategic plans, and the publication of a short and easy to read financial report.

The motion and ordinance reflect the culmination of work by leaders in all branches of King County government and is based on the recommendations of an advisory Performance Measurement Work Group. The Work Group, led by the King County Auditor, was started in 2003, to promote performance measurement and management throughout the county. The Work Group now includes all three branches of county government, as well as the independently elected county officials, such as the Assessor, the Prosecuting Attorney, the Sheriff, and the District and Supreme Courts. An early outcome of the Work Group's efforts was a set of guidelines (152KB PDF) for strategic planning and performance measurement, which are used by agencies and departments to develop annual business plans.

Also new in 2008 are two classes for county employees: "Performance Measurement 101" and "Performance Management." Performance Mesurement 101 is a full day class that covers the basic elements of how to develop performance measures using the logic model technique and the types of measures that are used in the county. Performance Management is focused on how to use performance information as a manager and includes the concepts of target setting, cascading measures, and creating a performance oriented culture. These classes are offered several times per year and are available to all county employees.

For a listing of previous ordinances and official events pertaining to performance management in King County, read the full legislative history (76KB PDF).