High Marks For Stressing Performance

Fighting entrenched government waste will not be an easy task, even with the strong support of the President. The federal Chief Performance Officer will embark on an exciting but vital journey that could be a model for state and local governments.

Describing the newly created position of Chief Performance Officer (CPO), President-elect Obama characterized the new federal job as one of the most important in his upcoming administration. Now we have it…creativity has arrived in the form of real change to attack the pressing American problem of improper federal spending.

It’s a brilliant move, emphasizing the timely need for what Time Magazine calls a “waste watchdog” at the federal level. But why stop in Washington?  Perhaps Governors and their respective legislatures who are tasked with doing more with less resources should consider appointing a CPO at the state level.For that matter, there are many counties and large municipalities that could use their own money watchdogs to spot fiscal hot spots, analyze them and recommend greater efficiencies and control of public programs that don’t measure up and which recklessly squander the our taxes.

By naming management consultant Nancy Killefer to the high-level post, the new President has the opportunity to shape a powerful office and enhance bureaucratic performance. Exactly what influence the CPO will hold depends upon her consistent accessibility to the Oval Office and the willingness of Capitol Hill to work toward a common purpose. That’s not an easy order. In creating the new position, however, Mr. Obama has the opportunity to mold a more constructive government, for other elected officials to emulate in their local domains. Clearly, then, with hundreds of intricate and perplexing federal programs to scrutinize, the opportunity given to Ms. Killefer is unparalleled. She, and the new Chief Executive, can set the standard for a true public fiscal ombudsperson. The job must be done right, given the proper tools and taken seriously. Congress needs to work in good faith with the CPO, and the bureaucrats will resist. They will be exceedingly anti-change every step of the way. From all accounts, however, the first CPO is up to the job.

“Efficiency” will now be more than just a slogan in the coming four years. This, then, is exciting stuff. Here is how you re-invent government to serve the public trust and set the standard for other governments. We await results. But for now…Bravo.

–Mitch Chester