How municipalities can track and analyze data to maximize program outcomes

Today, we live in a data-driven world. Whether it’s large, multinational corporations, or a cherished local business, business owners rely on data to make informed decisions.

This is also true of governments, whether at the federal level or a small municipality of a few thousand people (and everything in between). The most effective municipal leaders make data-driven decisions about how and where taxpayer dollars are spent.

Still, as common as it is, data analysis can be complicated, and even if municipal leaders have the intention to take a data-first approach, they don’t always have the tools or expertise. Without the proper knowledge, you can’t draw the insights needed to maximize program outcomes. Indeed, without knowing what types of data to collect and how to analyze it, you might as well be relying on your gut. But with the right approach, you can ensure all your programs—from education to law enforcement to sanitation—are maximizing their impact.

Below, find four strategies to best leverage data for your municipality.

Know what data to collect. When it comes to studying and improving program efficiency, some data is more valuable than others. And while the exact type of data a municipality should collect depends on the specific program and context, there are generally agreed upon categories that are always important, according to experts like Carol Weiss, a professor of social sciences and the author of “Evaluation: Methods for Studying Programs and Policies.” These categories are inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and performance targets. Inputs are resources dedicated to a specific program such as grant funding, budget line items, and staff. Activities are actions that are a part of program implementation, like recruitment and provision of services. Outputs are short- and medium-term results—for example, the number of people impacted by the program. Outcomes are the ultimate impact, like improved community health. And performance targets are the numbers against which you measure success.

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