Performance dashboards in the United States government

Abstract

In this paper, I examine the usage and effectiveness of performance dashboards within United States Government agencies. I gather initial research on performance dashboards used within for-profit entities as well as not-for-profit entities, including governmental establishments, and use this information to develop criteria for an ideal dashboard. I then evaluate dashboards currently in use and available to the public by government entities based on my criteria for an adequate dashboard. I predict that states, organizations, programs, and entities with higher funding and larger size will receive a higher grade for their respective dashboards which will result in a correlation between a good dashboard score and higher funding. The paper will consist of a written analysis, data collection and explanation, and a series of tables, figures, and references to aid the reader in a comprehensive understanding of what dashboards are, and how they are used.