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Writer's pictureDANIELLE FERGUSON-MACKLIN

To Lead and Manage in the Public Interest

Updated: Apr 23, 2023

Performance Management

Performance management is a critical aspect of public administration as it helps to ensure that government agencies and public sector organizations are accountable for their actions and use taxpayer funds effectively. The concept of performance management involves setting specific goals and targets, monitoring progress towards those goals, and taking action to improve performance when necessary.

In the context of public administration, performance management is particularly important because it can help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs and services. By setting clear objectives and measuring progress towards those objectives, government agencies can identify areas where they are excelling and areas where they need to improve. This can help to optimize the allocation of resources and ensure that government programs and services are delivering maximum value to citizens.

Another important role of performance management in public administration is to promote transparency and accountability. By making performance data publicly available, citizens can hold government agencies and officials accountable for their actions and decisions. This can help to increase public trust in government and ensure that taxpayer funds are being used in a responsible and efficient manner.

Overall, performance management is a critical tool for public administration as it helps to ensure that government agencies and public sector organizations are operating efficiently and effectively, and are accountable to the citizens they serve.


Strategic Planning and Performance Management Literature Review

Public administrators face various challenges in their work, from managing budgets and resources to coordinating programs and services. Public administrators must balance the needs of diverse stakeholders, including different ethnic and cultural groups, business interests, and community organizations. They are often responsible for managing limited resources, such as budgets, personnel, and equipment. These circumstances require careful planning and prioritization to ensure resources are used effectively. The ever-shifting political pressures and constraints can affect public administrators' decision-making and ability to implement policies and programs. On top of the usual challenges, public administrators must stay up-to-date on emerging issues and trends, such as new technologies, demographic changes, and environmental concerns, and develop effective strategies to address them. A wealth of literature addresses the challenges of public administration and offers insights and strategies for addressing them. By staying informed and engaged with the latest research, public administrators can enhance their ability to effectively manage programs and services and meet the needs of their communities.

Administrative Ethics - A Lasting Impact

The one class that has directly impacted my ability to do my current job right now in poised and present fashion is our Administrative Ethics course. It has been a long four years, so I could not recall exact assignments or even locate the class in Canvas. However, The Responsible Administrator, by Terry L. Cooper and D.F. Thompson's "The Possibility of Administrative Ethic sits close to my desk and has followed me through career changes and many, many laptop upgrades. I have used these references as a guide to a gut check, as well as a way to remember my position as a Global DEI Program Manager. Neutrality and doing the right thing for our people has seen me numerous challenges where I have come out on the right side of the decision. I am by nature an emotional leader, so it is important for me to remain calm and be a listener and a voice of reason. I work very hard not to impose my moral judgements on anyone else and be empathetic in difficult times. In this artifact, I highlight my takeaways and ways that I have worked in both scholars theories into my way of addressing challenging times.




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