Performance Management
About the Program
The SMAART Performance Management Program of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Lake County is a process of organizational performance measures and continuous improvement efforts, which ensure that Court activities are aligned with the Court’s strategic plan and are being conducted in an effective and efficient manner.
The Court’s strategic plan provides a vision of the judicial system, which is based on service to the community and fostering public trust and confidence. The strategic plan also outlines goals, objectives, and system-wide initiatives for the Court organization that are based on values important to the effective administration of justice and guides Court staff in working to fulfill the mission of the Court. The SMAART Program provides an Action Research framework for aligning Court actions - services, programs, and support activities - with the strategic plan, measuring the impact of those actions using a balanced scorecard approach, and planning continuous improvements in order to enhance outcomes.
The SMAART Performance Management Program of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Lake County is a process of organizational performance measures and continuous improvement efforts, which ensure that Court activities are aligned with the Court’s strategic plan and are being conducted in an effective and efficient manner.
The Court’s strategic plan provides a vision of the judicial system, which is based on service to the community and fostering public trust and confidence. The strategic plan also outlines goals, objectives, and system-wide initiatives for the Court organization that are based on values important to the effective administration of justice and guides Court staff in working to fulfill the mission of the Court. The SMAART Program provides an Action Research framework for aligning Court actions - services, programs, and support activities - with the strategic plan, measuring the impact of those actions using a balanced scorecard approach, and planning continuous improvements in order to enhance outcomes.
Benefits of this Program
The SMAART Performance Management Program is a forward-looking process, which uses frequent measurement of Court activities and the services it provides to the public in order to better respond to issues when they arise, assist problem-solving, inform decisions, and gage the impact of improvement efforts.
An essential component of the SMAART Performance Management Program, therefore, is performance measurement. Court performance measurement often requires the use of statistical evidence to determine whether Court functions are operating within established parameters and, consequently, making progress towards meeting the Court’s objectives and strategic initiatives. The Court organization establishes performance parameters, or benchmarks, based on industry standards or evidence-based targets for key programs, services, and support activities, which indicate whether the investments of human and financial resources are successful in achieving organizational effectiveness.
Parameters
SMAART performance parameters are those that are:
The SMAART Performance Management Program is a forward-looking process, which uses frequent measurement of Court activities and the services it provides to the public in order to better respond to issues when they arise, assist problem-solving, inform decisions, and gage the impact of improvement efforts.
An essential component of the SMAART Performance Management Program, therefore, is performance measurement. Court performance measurement often requires the use of statistical evidence to determine whether Court functions are operating within established parameters and, consequently, making progress towards meeting the Court’s objectives and strategic initiatives. The Court organization establishes performance parameters, or benchmarks, based on industry standards or evidence-based targets for key programs, services, and support activities, which indicate whether the investments of human and financial resources are successful in achieving organizational effectiveness.
Parameters
SMAART performance parameters are those that are:
- Specific: Outcome-based goals, standards, benchmarks or targets of achievement
- Measurable: Demonstrated qualities or quantities expressed as a calculation or comparison
- Aggressive: Ambitious or challenging levels of organizational success
- Achievable: Realistic and attainable based on existing resources and staffing
- Relevant: Directly related to the challenges at hand or reflected in the Court’s Strategic Plan
- Time-Sensitive: As close to real-time as possible; reflective of closure and target dates