Define a mission clearly and in terms of compelling problems. Most award-winning government programs can be traced to a clear articulation of purpose that is clearly understood both inside and outside the organization. For example, by establishing as their paramount concern teens who are pregnant or parents of infants, a consortium of local agencies in Boulder, Colorado , was able to reduce the number of teen mothers having second children from 28 percent to 3 percent. The federal Bureau of Reclamation , by redefining its mission to focus on water management, conservation, and environmental restoration, has achieved closer cooperation among Western water users, cut down on regulations, and reduced the size of the agency by 20 percent. Define challenging but achievable outcomes against which to measure performance.
Results are what matter.
Outcome targets are extremely powerful motivators, which can mobilize political support as well as administrative commitment. The most comprehensive example to date is Oregon Benchmarks . These targets have galvanized public participation and have been used by recent governors and legislators in allocating state resources. Within five years the number of black children awaiting adoption in Cook County fell from 702 to 39. Collaborate with other government agencies wherever possible.