In today's accountability-driven environment, the ICMA Center for Performance Measurement^TM can be a major asset to your local government. Performance measurement is more important than ever. It is a results-oriented system that allows local governments to:

• set appropriate targets and assess whether they are being met,
• distinguish success from failure
• highlight accomplishments and
• demonstrate results to win support.

Leading and managing local governments requires understanding the performance of a jurisdiction across a range of criteria. Performance data helps in establishing goals and outcomes in budget decisions, setting targets of performance, comparing to and learning from other jurisdictions, and communicating service and financial improvements to citizens.