Measuring up: An Evaluation Toolkit for Local Government

by Charles K. Bens, M.A.

Measuring up: An evaluation toolkit for local government
(2002) ISBN: 0-919779-63-8 BENS Item 0061

When governments take the initiative to determine how they are “measuring up,” they help ensure that citizens are always getting the best possible service that their tax dollars can buy.

In his new book, Measuring Up: An evaluation toolkit for local governments management consultant Charles Bens provides a set of more than 30 surveys that can be used to help create an ongoing bottomline for the public sector. By paying close attention to “what matters,” says Bens, your municipality can work towards meeting or exceeding the expectations of its citizens.

Divided in six parts, the toolkit includes surveys for assessing community and planning; citizens and candidates; overall organization; decision making; personnel; as well as guidelines for using evaluation surveys. Approx. 200 pages.

Book only: $46.95
Book, plus companion survey tools on CD-ROM: $99.95

To place your order, call our toll-free order hotline 1-888-368-6125 or click here to order online.

About the Author

Charles K. Bens, M.A. has been a public sector researcher and consultant for over 35 years and has worked in 200 cities in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Western Europe and Eastern Europe. He has written six books and over 150 articles on topics ranging from performance measurement and business planning to workplace wellness and electing better politicians. His current client list includes a housing authority, a transit department, a county government and a fleet management operation. Bens is on the editorial board of the National Civic Review and teaches part time at Florida International University’s Institute of Local Government. His firm, Best Practice Consulting, operates out of Sarasota, Florida with occasional projects in Canada where he resided for 25 years.

Table of Contents

PART 1 COMMUNITY AND PLANNING

Tool 1.1	COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT	1
Tool 1.2	STRATEGIC PLANNING NEEDS ASSESSMENT	9
Tool 1.3	STRATEGIC PLANNING READINESS ASSESSMENT	15
Tool 1.4	STRATEGIC PLANNING SUCCESS ASSESSMENT	19
Tool 1.5	COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT	23
Tool 1.6	BUSINESS PLAN ASSESSMENT	27

PART 2 CITIZENS AND CANDIDATES

Tool 2.1	CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT	37
Tool 2.2	INCUMBENT EVALUATION	41
Tool 2.3	NEW CANDIDATE EVALUATION	56
Tool 2.4	CITIZEN EVALUATION What does it mean to be a good citizen?	63

PART 3 ORGANIZATION

Tool 3.1	ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT	75
Tool 3.2	COMPREHENSIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSESSMENT	81
Tool 3.3	INTERNAL COMPETITION ASSESSMENT	89
Tool 3.4	STAFF INVOLVEMENT ASSESSMENT	93
Tool 3.5	MEETING ASSESSMENT – GENERAL	97
Tool 3.6	MEETING ASSESSMENT – SPECIFIC	103
Tool 3.7	CUSTOMER CULTURE ASSESSMENT	107
Tool 3.8	INTERNAL CUSTOMER ASSESSMENT	111
Tool 3.9	COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT	115

PART 4 DECISION MAKING

Tool 4.1	PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT READINESS RATING	121
Tool 4.2	PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT SUCCESS ASSESSMENT	129
Tool 4.3	PRIORITY SETTING ASSESSMENT	133
Tool 4.4	ALTERNATIVE SERVICE DELIVERY EVALUATION	137
Tool 4.5	INFORMATION SYSTEM CHANGE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT	143

PART 5 PERSONNEL

Tool 5.1	MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT	151
Tool 5.2	TEAM EFFECTIVENESS	157
Tool 5.3	FACILITATION SKILLS ASSESSMENT	163
Tool 5.4	360º APPRAISAL READINESS ASSESSMENT	171
Tool 5.5	ACCOUNTABILITY ASSESSMENT	175
Tool 5.6	EMPLOYEE MORALE ASSESSMENT	179
Tool 5.7	PEER EVALUATION	185
Tool 5.8	UPWARD FEEDBACK FOR SENIOR MANAGERS	189

PART 6 USING EVALUATION SURVEYS

GUIDELINES

197

Sample Chapter

Click here to download a sample chapter PDF Format, 72kb

Published in Canada by Municipal World Inc.