Clear Goals | Performance.gov

Using Goals to Improve Performance and Accountability

A goal is a simple but powerful way to motivate people and communicate priorities. Leaders in States, local governments, a growing number of Federal programs, and in other countries have demonstrated the power of using specific, challenging goals (combined with frequent measurement, analysis, and follow-up) to improve performance and cut costs. This Administration has embraced the power of goal-setting as a way to improve the Federal Government’s performance and accountability to the American people. Federal agencies are using near-term and longer-term goals in a variety of ways to improve their effectiveness and efficiency.

The Federal Government operates more effectively when agency leaders, at all levels of the organization starting at the top, set clear measurable goals aligned to achieving better outcomes. It is also vital that they regularly engage their organizations and delivery partners in critical reviews of progress on these goals. This leads to the discovery of what works and what does not – guiding agency action and investment. Federal agency leaders are increasingly using goals and measurement to reinforce priorities, motivate action, and illuminate paths to improvement. Agencies are also using goals in partnership efforts to improve outcomes.

Agencies establish a variety of short- and long-term performance goals to drive progress toward key outcomes. Agencies outline long-term goals and objectives in their strategic plans, and annual goals in annual performance plans. Twenty-four major Federal agencies have also identified a limited number of two-year Agency Priority Goals in the FY2013 budget, aligned with their strategic goals and objectives. Agency Priority Goals target areas where agency leaders want to achieve near-term performance acceleration through focused senior leadership attention. The Administration has also adopted a limited number of Cross-Agency Priority Goals to improve cross-agency coordination and best practice sharing.

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Exports

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Entrepreneurship and Small Business

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Broadband

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Energy Efficiency

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Veteran Career Readiness

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Job Training

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Cybersecurity

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Sustainability

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Real Property

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Improper Payments

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Data Center Consolidation

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Closing Skills Gaps

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Cross-Agency

Priority Goal: Strategic Sourcing

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Department of Agriculture

Strategic Goal: Assist Rural Communities to Create Prosperity So They Are Self-Sustaining, Repopulating and Economically Thriving

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Department of Agriculture

Strategic Goal: Ensure Our National Forests and Private Working Lands are Conserved, Restored, and Made More Resilient to Climate ...

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Department of Agriculture

Strategic Goal: Help America Promote Agricultural Production and Biotechnology Exports as America Works to Increase Food Security

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Department of Agriculture

Strategic Goal: Ensure that All of America's Children Have Access to Safe, Nutritious, and Balanced Meals

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Department of Commerce

Strategic Goal: Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Develop the tools, systems, policies, and technologies critical to transforming our ...

Department of Commerce Seal

Department of Commerce

Strategic Goal: Market Development and Commercialization: Foster market opportunities that equip businesses and communities with the ...