Addressing performance policies within state and national governments, this book summarizes lessons learned from a 10-year research project that evaluated performance reports produced under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). It documents the state of the art in federal performance reporting, measures the extent of improvement, compares federal performance reports with those of state governments and other nations, and suggests how GPRA has affected management of federal agencies and resource allocation.

The Honorable Maurice P. McTigue, QSO is director of the Mercatus Center's Government Accountability Project. In 1997, after completing his term as New Zealand's ambassador to Canada, he joined George Mason University as a distinguished visiting scholar.

Henry Wray is a visiting fellow with the Mercatus Center's Government Accountability Project. He recently completed a distinguished career in Washington D.C., where he served for over 30 years on the staff of the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the United States Congress.

Dr. Jerry EIlig has been a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University since 1996. Between August 2001 and August 2003, he served as deputy director and acting director of the Office of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Corrunission. Dr. Ellig has also served as a senior economist for the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress and as an assistant professor of economics at George Mason University.

Introduction. GPRA AND THE QUALITY OF PERFORMANCE INFORMATION: Best Practices for Outcome-Oriented Reports. Other Essential Best Practices. The State Factor. The International Context. GPRA AND THE QUALITY OF GOVERNANCE: Regulation and Tax Expenditures: Where Practice Falls Short. Window into Management. What Managers Say They Do. Toward Performance Budgeting. Conclusions.