They are conducted by examining travellers at random after they have been screened by Customs inspectors at the primary inspection line. The results are then rolled up by major ports, regionally and nationally. Current and projected performance results are assessed against actual levels of accomplishment reported in previous years. Regular reporting provides timely information on progress toward outcome targets. Improved program performance is facilitated by sharing and comparing the results in other areas of the country, maintaining dialogue and attempting to duplicate successful approaches.
Information is used to improve operations.
The results of stint studies are used to adjust operations at the ports. Information on compliance is used to focus enforcement activities. Outcome and operational information is used to predict staffing requirements. Operational data such as volume of travellers, expected compliance rate, examination rate, and appropriate time standards for inspections are used by headquarters in a computerized modelling system to calculate required staff resources. The staffing information is then used to determine the number of staff needed to process the expected volume of traffic and meet the performance targets and standards.