The Municipal Reform Period: Early 20th Century–1930s

 

As noted in the article by Lynch and Day (1996), modern-style performance measurement was introduced into the public sector by the New York Bureau of Municipal Research (hereafter referred to as the "New York Bureau"). The New York Bureau defined and promoted the use of performance measurement at the municipal level of government during this period. To understand the early stages of the modern performance movement, it is therefore important to understand the context within which the New York Bureau's decision to help develop and openly promote the adoption of performance measurement in government emerged. This portion of the lesson centers on three factors that facilitated the development of performance measurement in the public sector. These include

1. growing recognition of the scope and magnitude of government inefficiencies,
2. availability of techniques and methods for improving efficiency, and
3. belief in the transferability of practices across sectors.

This portion of the lesson will provide a brief introduction to these factors, beginning with the first factor.