There are in fact many books
written on this subject. So go buy one and read it. But here's something you
might not read in one of those books:
(1) Start small: Don't try to do
it all in one year
(2) Keep it simple: The Seven questions are simple
(3) Minimize paper: One useful
page is better than one thousandnot-so-useful pages
(4) Model behavior: Start at the
bottom and the top. Leaders should use regular 7 question reporting in their
periodic conferences
(5) Connect it to the budget
process: The 7 questions can be used in internal budget hearings and can be used
to design budget forms. If it's connected to the budget process it will be taken
more seriously
(6) Make it useful to managers: If
it is useful to managers, it will meet the needs of top management, the budget,
the legislature or county council. And the data will be better.
(7) Pay attention to data quality and timeliness: This means investing in data
development and data systems.
(8) Insist on a few "headline" measures for each component of the
department/agency: Do not allow people to use too much data, to overwhelm
the system; to lose the forest for the trees.
(9) Live by a simple rule: If it's not useful, don't do it.
