Performance Measurement & Accountability Flashcards
7 cards from real CPM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Performance Measurement & Accountability flashcards as text
A CPM uses the term 'economy measure' in a performance report. This refers to:
Answer: The cost per unit of input acquired, reflecting whether resources were obtained at a fair price
Economy measures assess whether inputs were acquired at the lowest reasonable cost, distinct from efficiency (outputs per cost) or effectiveness (outcomes).
A public manager wants to demonstrate that a new social services program caused a reduction in recidivism, not just a correlation. The most rigorous evaluation design is:
Answer: A randomized controlled trial with treatment and control groups
Randomized controlled trials provide the strongest causal evidence by controlling for confounding variables through random assignment.
In the CPM framework, 'productivity' as a performance dimension is best measured by:
Answer: Outputs produced per unit of input consumed
Productivity measures the relationship between outputs produced and the resources consumed, reflecting operational efficiency.
An agency's annual report shows it met 90% of its performance targets. A skeptical legislator asks about the 10% that were missed. The most accountable response is:
Answer: Provide root-cause analysis for missed targets and corrective action plans
True accountability requires transparent explanation of failures along with concrete plans to address them.
Which of the following is an example of a quality measure in public service delivery?
Answer: Percentage of paved roads rated 'good' or 'excellent' by inspection
Quality measures assess the standard or condition of outputs, not just their quantity—such as the proportion of roads in acceptable condition.
A manager uses trend data showing three consecutive quarters of improvement to justify discontinuing a corrective action plan. This decision-making approach reflects:
Answer: Evidence-based management with appropriate use of performance trends
Using multiple consecutive quarters of performance data to inform a management decision is an appropriate evidence-based approach.
The concept of 'double-loop learning' in organizational performance management means:
Answer: Questioning and revising the underlying assumptions and goals, not just adjusting tactics
Double-loop learning goes beyond fixing how goals are pursued (single-loop) to questioning whether the goals and assumptions themselves are still valid.