Indicators: "Where performance is measured, performance improves"

Marathon running demands rugged physical conditioning and careful mental calculation. To win, runners must gauge their speed against the course, constantly adjusting for twists, turns, detours and terrain of varying difficulty. With such challenges, it would be all too easy for runners to drift off course and expend resources on paths that do not advance them toward their goal. Fortunately, that rarely happens because marathon runners have several benchmarks - or INDICATORS - along the way that enable them to evaluate the progress they are making toward their goal.

Often taking the form of distance markers, course guidelines or even refreshment stands, these benchmarks help answer two extremely important questions: Am I following the proper course? At my current rate of progress, do I possess the necessary resources to reach my destination?

Like marathon runners, county officials continually struggle to allocate their limited resources efficiently in order to reach their goals. More than ever, they must examine their efforts to assure they are making progress toward their objectives. An era marked by increased responsibilities due to devolution and demand for greater efficiency and accountability leaves little tolerance for waste.

Much like a marathoner, communities can benefit greatly from establishing indicators to mark their course. As author Hyrum Smith says, "Where performance is measured, performance improves."

A vast array of indicators are available to measure performance and progress in various areas. Some indicators are very basic and familiar: in education, we measure graduation rates and test scores; for the environment, we measure air quality and water purity levels; for the economy, we measure real wages and unemployment rates; and for society in general, we measure crime rates and teen birthrates. There are thousands of other possible indicators, but only some are applicable to each community's development needs. Local officials must work with business, environmental and community leaders to define a vision for their future and choose the indicators that will help them evaluate their progress toward fulfilling that vision.

NACo supports these efforts by helping local officials develop appropriate indicators, which will help them measure their progress in building sustainable communities. Working with city and county leaders nationwide, the Joint Center for Sustainable Communities is amassing a library of indicator-based development programs throughout the country. This effort will provide local officials with a readily available source of information on appropriate indicators. And early next year, the Joint Center plans to sponsor a conference or regional workshops on developing appropriate indicators.

Although building sustainable communities is not an exact science, we cannot afford to engage in redundant trial and error. Specific indicators that are developed through community discussions are one means of assuring progress toward fulfilling the vision of sustainable communities.