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About Phrank Potter

How do organizations really work? This is a question I have been thinking about for about 3 decades. I look at the answer from an accounting (my profession), social and societal perspectives. Oh, don't be surprised if there is a bit of cycling or snowshoeing thrown in.

Introducing government Results Based Management

Governments face the challenge of demonstrating effective use of taxpayer money through performance reporting systems. Government Results Based Management (gRBM) focuses on measurable outcomes from government activities, bridging traditional and modern reporting methods. Governments must sometimes use inferential measures to compensate for the size and complexity of what they are reporting on.

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Setting the Context for government Results Based Management

For-profit organizations focus on generating returns and complying with laws while executing various planning processes. In contrast, public service organizations face complex challenges, such as lack of direct financial accountability and competition. Classic Results-Based Management struggles in this context, revealed through examples like Global Affairs Canada and the need for broader, more inclusive measures.

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The Construction of a RBM Indicator

The construction of a good indicator involves three elements: the indicator itself, unit of measure, and unit of analysis. It requires careful consideration of whether to use qualitative or quantitative data, selecting measures based on the result, and ensuring stakeholder involvement. The ideal indicator balances clarity, relevance, and resource demands.

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What Makes for a Good Indicator

This content outlines the characteristics of effective indicators. Key characteristics include validity, reliability, sensitivity, simplicity, usefulness, and affordability. The discussion emphasizes balancing these traits while considering constraints like materiality and timeliness to fulfill users’ decision-making needs and enhance comparability among indicators.

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Does RBM Work?

The post evaluates Results Based Management (RBM) and its effectiveness in strategic planning. It discusses the methodologies strengths and weaknesses. While RBM is criticized for fostering bureaucracy in organizations like the United Nations, it remains valuable if implemented in conjunction with encouraging a high-trust environment.

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Public Policy in a Nutshell

Public policy is a fancy name for what governments have agreed to do or need to do. If you have a degree in public policy, please don’t laugh too hard about the simplification of the concepts [1]. For those without a degree, hopefully this post is just enough to talk about policy and how gRBM supports the public policy process [2].

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What do Governments Do, Anyway?

The post explores the multifaceted roles of democratic governments, emphasizing their evolution from “stationary bandits” to providers of public goods and services. It discusses various responsibilities such as national defense, economic management, law enforcement, and public welfare, highlighting the complexities and challenges faced in governing diverse populations effectively.

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Talking About Grants

The SAPAA webinar on grant management highlighted essential practices for nonprofits. Key points included aligning grants with organizational strategy, strong governance for compliance, early engagement with funders, understanding contract terms, and planning for effective reporting. Challenges and solutions were discussed.

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Death Marches, Rope Burn, Video Editing, and Other Fun

A memory jog about the effort behind organizing and then editing the video for a ninety-minute webinar on grant management. Lessons learned from their self-taught journey, emphasize time-intensive editing processes, and highlight the minimal audience engagement expected. A written summary is a more efficient and effective alternative.

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