How do you evaluate the performance of a local authority?

In short

A local authority’s performance is evaluated on a few measurable dimensions: the quality of service to users, execution of the investment budget, the ability to deliver projects on time, human resources management and transparency. Each dimension gets two or three indicators, a baseline and a target.

1. Choose the dimensions

Start from the institution’s missions and its action programme (municipal, provincial or regional plan, or a devolved service’s programme). A useful evaluation covers four to seven dimensions, not everything.

2. Define measurable indicators

Examples: average processing time of the most requested procedures, execution rate of the investment budget, share of projects delivered on time, own-revenue collection rate, implementation rate of audit recommendations. Each indicator has a source, an owner and a frequency.

3. Measure the starting point

Measure each indicator today, even imperfectly. Without a starting point, no progress can be shown to elected officials, partners or audit bodies.

4. Steer and report

Review the indicators in management meetings, decide on corrective measures and publish the main results every year. Evaluation then becomes a steering tool, not a one-off exercise.

Take the governance diagnostic (TOOL 22) and the performance evaluations (TOOLS 23 to 29) →Local governance

Frequently asked questions

Do you need software to track performance?

Not to begin with: a shared spreadsheet is enough for ten indicators. A tool becomes useful when the data comes from several applications.

Who should lead the evaluation?

General management, with a designated management control function and the support of each department head.

Is a self-assessment enough?

It gives a first profile. An evaluation based on documents and data verifies it and costs the improvement plan.