KPMG is in the process of commissioning a series of Research Commentaries from academics world wide on the topic of Performance Management. Our objective is to invite approximately 15 commentaries as a means to inform and promote debate about performance management globally, disseminated through a KPMG-funded book. And while the book will not be peer-reviewed in the traditional sense, we will work with the authors to ensure an appropriate level of quality and relevance. We are soliciting commentaries against the following broadly-defined topics:

1. Overcoming barriers to implementing successful Performance Management systems in Government (topics might include)

o Complexity of measures
o Challenges of managing against outcomes v. outputs
o Incentives (or disincentives) for public servants
o Role of information technology and information management
o Reconciling Political v. Administrative objectives
o Performance v. Accountability

2. Linking Financial and Non-financial Performance (topics might include)

o Performance-based budgeting v. Program-based budgeting
o Efficiency v. Effectiveness
o Role of information technology
o Who decides what value-for-money means

3. Managing Performance Management (topics might include)

o Role of governance and leadership
o Implications for personnel management in government
o Role of third-party audit: External, Auditors General
o Public reporting and communication

We expect that the researchers themselves will have specific ideas about what topics to investigate and comment on, and we will work with them to come up with relevant discussions without impeding academic freedom or integrity. Indeed, our core rationale is to invite exactly this sort input and involvement and we are trying to be as non-prescriptive as possible. Regarding the 'style' of the pieces, we want them to be grounded in standard academic methodology, but also have a more general appeal to them, and a sense of 'pushing the boundaries' is appropriate.

The primary audience will be practitioners from government, students, and professionals in private practice - a strong secondary audience will be academics. We look forward with anticipation to the results, and to making what we hope will be a positive contribution to the policy community centered around the important issue of performance management in government.

Should you or anyone else have questions or comments, I would embrace the feedback.

Mark R. MacDonald, Ph.D. Global Executive Director Infrastructure, Government and Health KPMG International c/o 199 Bay Street, Suite 3300 Toronto ON M5L 1B2 CANADA

Tel: +1.416.777.8290 Fax: +1.416.777.8462 Mobile: +1.416.564.8290