Executive Summary Central to public management is the question of how governance can be strengthened in support of countries' economic and social goals. In facing this challenge, public managers and their ministers across the OECD find they have much in common, and much to be learned from each other's experiences. At the same time, while OECD countries face an increasingly common agenda of public management issues, and share a repertoire of responses, there is no single model for effective public management, nor any easy solution. Public management improvements require ongoing efforts suited to each country's circumstances. A period of change in government, its economic and social context, and its functioning engages governments in re-thinking the role and operation of the public sector.
Various approaches are at hand for re-examining roles.
It is important to combine budgetary with policy or programme perspectives. Lasting effect can most likely be achieved through cumulative efforts, over time. Substantial re-examinations require a central focal point, linked to political leadership, with professional support. Each country should assess how best to re-examine roles without devaluing the exercise by making it mechanical or repetitious, and while taking account of opportunities and obstacles. The essential counterpart to greater devolution is clarifying accountability.