Performance Management Section

The Performance Management Section promotes accountability and transparency of county government for the public and improves the effectiveness and efficiency of county programs. Performance management is a key aspect of modern public management; it includes performance measurement, public performance reporting, developing internal management systems, and performance-based budgeting. The section is also responsible for developing key information to inform the public and policy makers about growth and development within the county. Performance Management Section staff provides leadership, coordination and support in the following areas:

• King County Performance Scorecard & AIMs High– As part of the county’s efforts to provide transparency and accountability, the section produces a four-page Performance Scorecard and an in-depth performance measure website, AIMs High: Annual Indicators and Measures. The web site is designed to show both the state of the county and King County government’s performance.  
• KingStat – KingStat is the King County Executive's performance management program. Its purpose is to facilitate ongoing review of departments' performance and encourage dialogue about performance results between the Executive and the departments.  
• King County Benchmark Program – Established in 1995, as required by the Washington State Growth Management Act, the King County Benchmark Program measures the progress of the King County Countywide Planning Policies. The program reports annually on 45 indicators within five policy areas: land use, economic development, transportation, affordable housing and the environment.  
• King County Growth Report – The King County Growth Report is the county’s premier report on growth and development trends in King County, its cities, and planning areas. The report has two primary purposes: 1) to present a standard set of data on growth in King County to answer questions about where, when, and how much growth is occurring in King County and 2) to provide a foundation for evaluating King County land use and development policies.  
• Community Enhancement Initiative – The Community Enhancement Initiative (CEI) is a collaborative effort to promote healthy, vibrant communities in Skyway and White Center. Working with the community and across county agencies, enhancement efforts address regional disparities and bring much needed improvements to quality of life in these neighborhoods that many lower-income communities call home.  
• Performance Management training and coaching – Through the county’s Training & Organization Development (internal link) staff teaches classes in “Performance Measurement” and “Performance Management.” These classes are open to all county employees and have been developed specifically for King County. In addition, section staff offers technical assistance and coaching to leaders, managers, and staff on performance measurement and management issues including developing measures, setting targets, and comparative benchmarking.  

In addition to the above programs, section staff is involved with inter-jurisdictional benchmarking initiatives (STAR Community Index and the Global City Indicators Facility), integrating performance measures with the county budget process via agency and department business plans, and developing measures to assess the county's Comprehensive Plan.