# Using Metrics to Assess Performance Course (Self-Paced)

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## Overview

Apply a measurement-based approach to assess the adequacy of government program operations performance. Learn how to prepare metrics of timeliness, quality, economy, and efficiency, and how to apply those metrics in determining the adequacy of agency performance in producing and delivering program goods and services. Understand how to apply analytic methods in determining the cause of performance shortcomings and the potential for cost savings. Engage in numerous public sector case studies where you prepare appropriate metrics; analyze the nature, extent, and cause of shortcomings; and organize the audit results into a finding.

## What you'll learn

- Apply measurement techniques to assess program operations and performance.
- Cite four things auditors must know and agree on if they are to use measures in assessing the adequacy of performance and the potential for cost savings.
- Define the aspects of performance that auditors often find relevant in assessing performance.
- Prepare metrics using quantitative and qualitative data and use those metrics to systematically identify performance problems.
- Plan an audit to assess an entity's success in producing and delivering quality products and services timely, economic, and efficient manner.
- Apply an analysis and logic approach to identify changes in a process that will improve performance.
- Develop findings that address the nuances that arise in reporting findings for performance improvement and cost savings.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Assessing Performance: The Basics

- Understand the necessity for measurement in assessing operations and program performance.
- Describe two basic approaches for assessing performance with measures.
- Cite four things we must know and agree on if we are to use measures in assessing performance.
- Explain the role of inputs, processes, and outputs in achieving a program’s purpose.
- Discuss terms frequently used in describing organizational and program performance.
- Define ten aspects of performance that auditors commonly find relevant in assessing performance.
- Identify cost savings or cost avoidance to be achieved by improving performance of quality, timeliness, economy, and efficiency.

#### Module 2: Measuring Performance

- Explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative data.
- Cite the three basic methods for measuring performance.
- Prepare measures for qualitative data by one method, rating using a scale.
- Cite the steps in preparing performance measures for quantity, quality, timeliness, and efficiency.
- Cite the attributes that outputs must meet in preparing measures for quantity, quality, timeliness, and efficiency.

#### Module 3: Unique Finding Components

- Describe the unique finding components that apply in developing findings for audits that use metrics to assess performance.
- Cite the potential sources of audit criteria.

#### Module 4: Planning Audits That Use Metrics

- Apply a step-by-step process to plan audits that use metrics to assess the adequacy of performance in producing and delivering outputs.
- Apply a design matrix to document the audit plan.

#### Module 5: Auditing Timeliness

- Learn techniques to assess the timeliness of processes and outputs in audits.

#### Module 6: Auditing Quality

- Understand methods for assessing the quality of outputs in audits.

#### Module 7: Auditing Economy for Cost Savings

- Learn how to assess economic performance and identify cost-saving opportunities in audits.

#### Module 8: Auditing Efficiency for Cost Savings

- Explore how to measure efficiency in audits to identify potential cost savings.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1199