2. Performance Management

Colorado

A 2013 Colorado law required all state agencies to submit annual performance reports to the Colorado state legislature, which must include: (1) performance measures for the major functions of the department; (2) performance goals for at least the subsequent three years; (3) a description of the strategies necessary to achieve those goals; and (4) a summary of the department’s most recent performance evaluation. The Governor’s Director of Operations and Cabinet Affairs oversees the development and execution of statewide performance goals. The Governor’s Office of Operations maintains the statewide performance management system required, by law, to be published on an annual basis. The office provides guidance on developing annual strategic goals and annual performance plans and identifies opportunities for process improvement (CRS 2-7-204). Consistent with this management system, executive branch agencies continue to identify annual Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) that align with their agency’s mission, the statewide strategic goals, working group goals, and the Reimagine State Government Initiative.

To support the Governor’s strategic priorities, the Governor’s Office of Operations maintains monthly working groups (Economic Development, Environment and Renewables, Health, and Education and Workforce) with cabinet members and relevant leadership, including: deputy directors, division directors, and/or key program staff, as needed. Those working groups set annual performance goals aligned to support the Governor’s priorities and progress toward the goals displayed on the Governor’s Dashboard with data updated monthly. The Office of Operations, Office of State Planning and Budgeting, and Policy Office within the Governor’s Office regularly coordinate to provide feedback on performance goals, budget requests, and legislative items, respectively.

The Governor’s Office of Operations supports innovation by offering free training to all state employees in Lean, Agile, and Change Management. Broadly, within the state, there is a culture of data-driven innovation. One exemplary effort includes that the Colorado Department of Transportation has an Office of Process Improvement that hosts a Lean Everyday Ideas program within the Department and tracks the impact of those projects. 

Issue Areas: Child Welfare, Criminal Justice, Economic Mobility, Education, Health, Workforce