Performance Monitoring Systems for Public Managers

A major shift in the role of government as a provider of services occurred during the 1960s. The Johnson Administration's recognition of social problems in American society and the need to take action to solve them led to the development of the social goals of the Great Society. Broad social programs were undertaken to improve the plight of the poor, improve educational opportunity, increase health and medical service, and expand public legal services. As these programs focused funds and personnel from federal, state, and local governments on social ills, Americans were encouraged to expect and ultimately demand more and better government services. It soon became clear, however, that a commitment of dollars and personnel were not sufficient to ensure that the social goals and performance objectives of these programs would be realized. One of the many lessons learned from this period of social experimentation was that you cannot solve a problem by throwing money at it.