Chester County Government has added national recognition for performance management leadership to its list of accolades. The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) recently bestowed a Certificate of Achievement to the county, noting the data-driven management and reporting efforts established through Chester County’s “Managing for Results” process.
Borne out of Chester County’s Strategic Plan, Managing for Results gives county departments and staff a formula in determining how their work, actions and behavior support the overall strategic direction of the county. Managing for Results also ensures accountability and transparency in Chester County government.
The ICMA Certificate of Achievement is awarded to cities and counties based on data that has been collected and verified and that ensures reliability, trains staff in performance measurement, and that reports the data to the public through budgets, newsletters, and information to elected officials.
Chester County is among 17 jurisdictions to receive the Certificate of Achievement, and one of just 63 recognized by ICMA overall across North America.
“For more than 10 years, Chester County has used a balanced and practical approach to measuring the results of staff performance as it relates to overall priorities and goals as well as department-specific goals,” said Bobby Kagel, County Administrator. “We are pleased that ICMA recognizes the value of performance management plans such as ours.
“Congratulations goes to Stephanie Phillips, Chester County’s Management Data Project Manager, for her commitment to our Strategic Plan and the Managing for Results data collection and reporting.”
Speaking on behalf of the ICMA, Executive Director Marc A. Ott said, “Performance Management is a bedrock principle of professional local government management. By recognizing organizations like Chester County, ICMA hopes to encourage others to make a commitment to collect and analyze data, report it transparently, and use it to continuously engage their communities and improve their organizations.”