The evidence base to inform management and policy decision making is still elementary in many instances in the civil service. Civil Service Performance Indicators provides practical assistance to civil service managers involved in the development of performance indicators. In particular the paper examines the role of performance indicators in a number of key areas:
- In the business planning process.
- In units where the main focus is on policy work.
- In the process of verifying how civil service organisations are performing.
Difficulties in defining performance indicators and their limited applicability in some circumstances are recognised.