North Carolina's commitment to enhancing its state government operations has recently seen a new wave of progress. According to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM), 37 state employees have now successfully completed the 2024 Performance Management Academy. This six-week program, taught by regional and national experts, aims to equip participants with the skills necessary to efficiently and effectively manage and improve state government programs, directly impacting services delivered to North Carolinians.
The participants, hailing from 18 diverse agencies, were trained in a variety of disciplines including logic modeling, agile techniques, and randomized control trials (RCTs) to determine causal impact. David Yokum, the Office of State Budget and Management's Chief Scientist, emphasized that "The Performance Management Academy is a vital part of our commitment to strengthening the capabilities of government agencies." He asserted that attendees will definitely be able to apply these skillsets to their day-to-day work to eventually improve results they deliver to North Carolinians, as per the Office of State Budget and Management.
Feedback from attendees has underscored the value of the program. Asia Prince, Programs Director at the Administrative Office of the Courts, told Office of State Budget and Management, "The knowledge I gained in this course has caused me to rethink the process for evaluating the effectiveness of programs I currently oversee." Christie Burris, Chief Data Officer at NCDIT, underscored the importance of the academy for state employees in directorial positions, highlighting its effectiveness in bridging the gap between agency needs and data-driven evidence.
The OSBM's initiative to offer the Performance Management Academy annually is a direct investment in the future of North Carolina's public service sector. Graduates of the academy are now better prepared to not only foster a culture of continuous improvement but to also precisely chart courses that are grounded in solid data and improved methodologies. The state looks forward to these individuals bringing their new expertise back to their respective agencies, paving the way to enhance the overall productivity and responsiveness of state government. A full list of graduates can be found on the Office of State Budget and Management announcement page.
In its role, the Office of State Budget and Management remains dedicated to serving the people of North Carolina by ensuring a balanced budget and effective management of public resources, a mission further strengthened by the recent accomplishments of the academy's graduates.
