December 13, 2019
From the Classroom to the Courtroom: Innovative Scorecards Being Introduced to Measure Results
– – –Manitobans can Monitor Government's Performance Online: Fielding
Manitoba has become one of the first provinces in the country to use scorecards to track progress on key initiatives across the public service, Finance Minister Scott Fielding announced today. Balanced scorecards will be available to the public through an online dashboard so all Manitobans can track improvements.
“We are committed to an accountable and transparent government, and we want taxpayers to hold us to account on our goals and align priorities to what matters to Manitobans,” said Fielding. “Manitoba’s new innovative scorecard system is one of the first of its kind among governments across Canada and uses quantitative data to inform the public of our progress in becoming the most-improved province.”
As part of the government’s 100-Day Action Plan, the minister of finance was directed to finalize and publicize cabinet-level balanced scorecard measures and begin development of department-level measures. First announced in February 2018, the balanced scorecards will be rolled out across government by mid-2020 to track progress on everything from student numeracy and literacy performance to advances in justice modernization.
In Manitoba Education, scorecards will use a composite of annual provincial assessments for Grade 3, middle years and Grade 12 to measure progress in literacy and numeracy, and track improving percentages in graduation rates. For example, Manitoba’s Grade 7 student numeracy results are currently tracking at 50 per cent, meaning only half of Grade 7 students met the desired competencies in numeracy. These outcomes clearly show the need for measurable improvement in student outcomes, the minister noted.
In Manitoba Justice, scorecards will track improvements to public safety measures, which include reducing recidivism by three per cent over five years and reducing time to disposition by a further 40 days (five per cent) over five years.
Fielding said the province’s balanced scorecard approach turns strategy into measureable actions. Analytics will allow the province to monitor departmental progress and ensure staff is being supported to meet government’s priorities.
“This system will show our successes and help identify where we have more work to do, so we can use our resources wisely to deliver efficient and effective public services to benefit Manitobans,” said Fielding. “Balanced scorecards will help keep public service work on track and focused on outcomes, guide discussions and decision-making, and allow us to analyze data and learn from the results.”
Fielding noted the New Brunswick government has used a scorecard system since 2012, which has resulted in at least $87 million in government savings.
Citizens can track the province’s progress in meeting targets through a simple-to-navigate online dashboard that will explain how results are calculated and show data at www.MBMeasuringProgress.ca.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
Backgrounder
Background Information - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2019/12/BG-Balanced_Scorecards-FI.pdf