GovStat, LLC was founded to help cities, counties and government organizations manage themselves more effectively by establishing a program that incorporates performance measurement, accountability and problem solving to deliver results.

GovStat works with committed executives to establish indicators that measure the performance of their departments and track the success of their initiatives. The critical data that is collected drives increased accountability, improved efficiency and relentless follow-up.

The Stat process has its origins in the CompStat program pioneered by Jack Maple in 1994 for the New York Police Department. Using computer pin mapping, weekly accountability sessions and new approaches, CompStat helped the NYPD dramatically reduce crime. In June 2000 the concept was boldly broadened to encompass all city agencies in Baltimore, Maryland by its innovative Mayor, Martin O'Malley. CitiStat is how Mayor O'Malley manages Baltimore City - not yearly, quarterly, or monthly- but week to week.

Every government entity faces challenges unique to size, geography, infrastructure, demographics and politics. However, all have (or should have) a clearly defined statement of purpose and a mandate to improve services. GovStat develops systems of accountability and works closely with executives and their staffs to track progress on initiatives and increase productivity and efficiency.

The Stat Process

Every two weeks agencies submit a data report containing numbers on key performance indicators like citizen complaints, overtime, lost man-days and work order information. Service request information is also provided with addresses so the information can be geo-coded. GovStat ensures the indicators are a fair and reliable measure of an organization's performance in order to get the quick buy-in of agency personnel and to make the bi-weekly meetings meaningful.

The executive's staff consumes this data in the days preceding a meeting, conducting field visits and comparing the latest data to prior periods and year-to-date numbers to track progress. GovStat trains the executive's staff in understanding operations, ensuring the accuracy of information, performing analysis of data and conducting productive meetings and follow-up.

At bi-weekly meetings the agency head and his staff face the executive and key cabinet members. The executive, or his deputy, direct the questions and the agency head is responsible for explaining the agency's performance for the period. GovStat provides guidance when it comes to meeting presentation and tone. Data is displayed on giant screens in a specially designated room for all to see. Poor trends are identified, corrected, and monitored for improvement. Good trends and strategies are commended and replicated. Often, policy is communicated and executed in the same meeting. Since all stakeholders are present, coordination can occur on the spot instead of allowing valuable time to pass by while memos change hands.