How Does Metro Plan and Measure Performance

Rebekah Stephens

Nationwide, there has been movement toward greater accountability and transparency across all levels of government. There has also been an increase in competition, an increase in demand for resources, and a decrease in available funding. Governments everywhere are looking for ways to better manage and communicate performance. At the same time, independent organizations that set policy on key financial matters for governments, such as the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), and the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), have called for better use of planning and performance information.

Metro Nashville Government has responded to this call by implementing a strategic management effort. Those Metro departments, agencies, or elected officials who chose to participate created strategic business plans. A wide array of stakeholders for each department took part in creating these plans, including citizens who serve on boards and commissions, department managers, and front-line employees. These plans were then reviewed and approved by the Mayor. Copies of departmental strategic business plans are available here on the Citizen’s Guide to Metro’s Performance.