HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Indicator memo 5-21-2019
TO: PLANNING BOARD
FROM: TOM ROGERS AND CHRIS SAUNDERS
RE: GROWTH POLICY UPDATE – INDICATORS (METRICS)
DATE: MAY 21, 2019
The draft goals and objectives for the 2019 Community Plan are complete. Staff revised the
goal and objectives based on your effort on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 and respectfully submit
the attached document for your records (Goals & Objectives v6). Although ongoing
revisions may occur, the next step is to develop and integrate possible metrics or indicators
to measure the success and limitations of the plan.
Staff provided examples of possible metrics at your March 26, 2019 meeting. The data
sources highlighted were vetted through Bozeman Strategic Services, our consultant team
and Community Development on their availability, applicability, and the frequency in
which they are updated. A link to the meeting materials is provided below.
March 26, 2019 materials
The purpose of this meeting is to begin identifying appropriate indicators and metrics to
evaluate the performance of the Community Plan. Staff, in discussion with Logan Simpson,
has generated the attached list for your consideration. There may be other measures not
listed that should be.
The Bozeman Strategic Plan list seven vision statements. Vision seven is “High Performance
Organization.” Subsection 7.4, performance metrics, is to utilize key performance and cost
measures to monitor, track and improve the planning and delivery of City programs and
services, and promote greater accountability, effectiveness and efficiency. Learn from those
outside city government and measure specific tasks for performance.
a) Develop Data Analysis Tools - Develop more sophisticated analytical tools to
access, monitor, measure, and analyze data to inform decision making.
b) Set Performance Measures - Set performance measures that align with the
Strategic Plan.
c) Analyze and Collect Data from Performance Measures - Analyze and collect data
from performance measures to ensure implementation of the Strategic Plan, and
redesign measures as needed.
d) Strategic Municipal Service Delivery Expectations - Strategically manage
community and employee expectations about the City’s capacity to deliver services.
Discussion of metrics for the Community Plan will be considered in context with this larger
initiative. The Strategic Services Department is leading implementation of Strategic Plan
7.4. Some items may address both the Community Plan and another area of municipal
operations. In such cases, the performance metric will be crafted to address both issues.
As noted in the attached document, effective indicators are:
Relevant to the Plan’s vision and goals to track meaningful desired outcomes;
Clear and understandable and do not rely on overly complex definitions or
calculations;
Defensible and grounded in quality data that can be regularly reported and can be
consistently and accurately tracked over time;
Useful in making decisions that affect the community, reflecting topics the
community directly or indirectly addresses through local plans, policies or
implementation programs;
Interdisciplinary in that the same indicator can be used in conjunction with other
City (and outside entity) plans and programs;
Comparable to other regional, municipal, state or national benchmarks
Supported by the community, staff and elected officials
We are asking the Board to refine and prioritize these indicators. Tracking and managing a
vast array of data may not improve the outcome of the plan. Carefully crafted and selected
indicators under each theme are suggested. However, no one metric will capture the intent
of the Community Plan. Citizens experience the community in qualitative ways, therefore
considering only quantitative measures will not fully reflect plan outcomes. Additional
qualitative measures may be needed in addition to any quantitative measures employed.
A performance measurement system that requires excessive effort to implement will not
continue over time as other priorities push it aside. In order to support long term success
in implementation, Staff suggests that not more than two metrics be chosen for each theme
in the Community Plan.
Attachments:
Draft Indicators v5
Goals & Objectives v6