From Bush, an Order for Agencies to Track Progress

FROM BUSH, AN ORDER FOR AGENCIES TO TRACK PROGRESS
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Stephen Barr]
President Bush this week issued an executive order imposing accountability for how each federal agency sets targets for improving the performance of its programs and tracks progress. The order requires agency heads to set goals, develop ways to measure progress, use performance data in budget requests and set up Web sites that describe "the successes, shortfalls and challenges of each program" and efforts to improve them. The order directs agencies to appoint a "performance improvement officer" who will coordinate "sufficiently aggressive" goals and plans for programs. It also creates a "performance improvement council" within the Office of Management and Budget so that agencies and the office can coordinate efforts. Because of its timing, Bush's order likely means that the next White House will inherit a network of agency officials responsible for improving federal programs. The next White House will decide whether to stick with Bush's approach, repackage it or drop it. By the end of 2008, the Bush administration intends to tell Congress which program goals each agency has promised to accomplish and by what date they will show results.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/14/AR2007111402274.html
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* Executive Order: Improving Government Program Performance
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/11/20071113-9.html