CMM Strategic Planning & Performance Management 2

Question 1

A city manager implements a system where department heads receive quarterly reports showing actual performance against established targets. This management approach is known as:

Accepted Answer

Performance-based management

Answer

Management by exception

Answer

Zero-based budgeting

Answer

Continuous quality improvement

Question 2

Which federal act requires state and local governments to measure performance and report outcomes as a condition of receiving certain federal grants?

Accepted Answer

Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)

Answer

Single Audit Act

Answer

Chief Financial Officers Act

Answer

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Question 3

A 'logic model' in program planning illustrates the relationship between:

Accepted Answer

Inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes

Answer

Budget allocations and department staffing levels

Answer

Elected officials and administrative staff roles

Answer

Tax rates and service fee schedules

Question 4

When a municipality conducts a 'citizen satisfaction survey,' it is primarily collecting which type of performance data?

Accepted Answer

Customer/quality data

Answer

Efficiency data

Answer

Workload data

Answer

Cost-effectiveness data

Question 5

In performance management, a 'leading indicator' differs from a 'lagging indicator' because it:

Accepted Answer

Predicts future performance before outcomes are final

Answer

Measures results after a program has ended

Answer

Counts the total volume of services provided

Answer

Compares current performance to prior year results

Question 6

Which approach to budgeting requires each department to justify every expenditure from a zero base each year, rather than using the prior year's budget as a starting point?

Accepted Answer

Zero-based budgeting

Answer

Incremental budgeting

Answer

Program budgeting

Answer

Capital budgeting

Question 7

A city manager uses a 'dashboard' to present key performance indicators to the city council. What is the PRIMARY advantage of this reporting format?

Accepted Answer

It provides a visual summary of critical metrics at a glance

Answer

It eliminates the need for departmental reports

Answer

It replaces the annual audit process

Answer

It allows the public to set performance targets