Activity 6: Establish performance measures, determine outcomes, and develop a system scorecard

What Do We Mean by Outcomes?

"Outcomes," under a risk reduction model, are defined as:

  • decreases in the rate or severity of reoffense by offenders,
  • decreases in the harm caused to communities as a result of crime,
  • increases in the level of satisfaction with the justice system by victims, and
  • increases in the level of public confidence in the justice system.

Performance measurement facilitates an objective, empirical evaluation of the effectiveness of the justice system in achieving desired outcomes; it also facilitates an evaluation of the effectiveness of change strategies in contributing to those outcomes. Development of a systemwide scorecard—and reaching agreement on the methods to measure performance on scorecard items—ensures common agreement on the team's desired outcomes. It also provides a tool for engaging and educating professionals and community members around the goals and activities of the justice system.

Elements of an EBDM justice system include

  • a set of agreed-upon performance measures that will enable an objective, empirical evaluation of the effectiveness of justice system agencies in achieving their vision;
  • benchmarks against which longer-term outcomes can be measured;
  • methods to collect and analyze data on an ongoing basis to inform policy and practice; and
  • a systemwide scorecard.