By contrast, agency managers are responsible for attainment of agency-level goals. Similarly, program managers and providers are responsible for meeting program-level goals. Designing and implementing results-based accountability initiatives creates both challenges and opportunities. Details on the specific challenges and opportunities facing those developing such systems are provided in the forthcoming Challenges and Opportunities Tip Sheet. No standard set of definitions of results-based accountability terms currently exists.
States use similar terms for different concepts, and different terms to describe similar concepts.
The concepts described below are important components of RBA systems. However, states may use different terms to refer to these concepts. Further detail on each component can be found in related Tip Sheets. Successful systems begin by stepping back and examining core values, then articulating a plan for the future based on these values. States most successful in designing RBA efforts have developed processes to include all stakeholders in the articulation of the strategic plans.