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Asking Key Questions: How to Review Program Results

Executive Summary

Performance information identifies what a state is getting for the activities it undertakes and the funds it spends on behalf of its citizens. Legislative staff can aid legislators in obtaining and using performance information by preparing outcome-focused staff reviews. Such reviews can identify the extent to which programs are getting results, provide a basis for questioning the executive branch about program outcomes, help legislative staff strengthen their own examination of programs, and provide guidance to the executive branch for improving programs and outcome measurement processes. The focus of this report is on state programs that are in charge of delivering public services and programs for citizens rather than on internal state services such as personnel, procurement and data processing. Two examples, one reviewing higher education institutions and the second reviewing child care programs, are provided to illustrate the program reviews.

Asking Key Questions: How to Review Program Results is available to constituents for free in pdf and to the general public for $10 from the NCSL Bookstore.
See other information on legislating for results and performance-based budgeting.
Updated March 2008.
Email statebudget-info@ncsl.org for more information.

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