In some cases we only marginally impact our intended outcomes. Outcomes are long-term and need to be evaluated in a strategic context in light of what's going on externally in society over time. Because outcome-based objectives are a statement of our public purpose, it is important to identify, track, and evaluate progress towards them. Moreover, we should have an understanding of whether we influence the trend significantly, somewhat, or not at all and, if we don't influence it, we need to figure out if we are working on the right outcomes. The best vehicle for this evaluation is a strategic planning process.
Outcomes provide a policy framework for our programs and performance measures.
While performance measures, that focus more on outputs, efficiencies and interim outcomes, provide the data that appear in the budget. Regardless of how efficient a program is or how many customers it serves, we still need to know whether, in the long-term, it is improving the lives of Maine people. In many states, audits are performed to ensure that performance data are accurate, valid, and reliable. Performance measurement audits are sometimes performed by legislative auditors, contracted external evaluators or experts from academia. In Maine, the Program Evaluation Act charges the Legislature with an oversight function to review agencies' performance to determine if that performance is acceptable and consistent with statute.