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.