From Performance Measurement to Performance Management: Lessons from a Maryland Circuit Court

The High Performance Court Framework developed by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) provides theoretical and practical guidance for courts to link their organizational culture, performance results, and management decisions. Using the NCSC CourTools Measures 2 (Clearance Rates) and 3 (Time to Disposition), this study describes a Maryland trial court's experiences in understanding these performance measures and using the results to inform the court's management practices and daily operations. The initial analyses often led to more in-depth and focused inquiries of the court's data, procedures, and policies. Insights gained and lessons learned throughout the development and implementation of performance measures, as well as the utilization of performance results are discussed.