Toolkit for the preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of public administration reform and sector strategies

The development and implementation of public administration reform (PAR) and sector strategies are both processes that require identifying the core problems a given country administration is facing, setting clear objectives and targets to address those problems, and translating these into specific actions. This Toolkit is designed for the preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of PAR and sector strategies. It is designed to support governments and public administrations that are committed to meeting the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 16 and the SIGMA Principles of Public Administration. The Toolkit provides practical insights and advice, as well as easy-to-use tools for those involved in the development and implementation of PAR and sector strategies. It was developed by gathering, reviewing and compiling lessons learned, recommendations, advice and tools developed and promoted by SIGMA and the rest of the OECD Public Governance Directorate.

A well-functioning public administration is a prerequisite for transparent and effective democratic governance. It is the foundation for the functioning of the state, determining a government’s ability to provide public services and foster competitiveness and growth.

Achieving the necessary standard of public administration requires reforms in many areas of both policy and administration. If reforms are planned and implemented in a fragmented, ad hoc way, they may not transform the governance system and functioning of a public administration as expected. Achieving results requires governments to steer and co-ordinate implementation of an overall reform vision and prioritised objectives.

Effective and clear leadership, well-functioning implementation mechanisms, clear accountability lines and financial sustainability are at the heart of any successful reform strategy. They are critical for ensuring that a strategy is actually implemented and does not exist only on paper.

Over the years, SIGMA has assisted a number of countries with developing plans for the reform of their public administration, as well as elaborating and introducing the corresponding monitoring and reporting frameworks for these reforms. SIGMA has also helped countries to develop their national strategic planning systems to ensure that the same quality of standards and conceptual approaches are applied to their sector strategy development and monitoring, irrespective of the specifics of the policy area.

This Toolkit provides practical insights and advice, as well as easy-to-use tools for those involved in the development and implementation of public administration reform (PAR) and sector strategies.

The Toolkit guides the reader through each stage of the development, implementation, monitoring and overall management of strategies. It covers:

• Problem analysis.
• The prioritisation of reform ambitions.
• The setting of objectives.
• The definition of indicators (with baselines and targets).
• Action planning and costing.
• Implementation monitoring, reporting and evaluation.
• PAR management and learning.

The Toolkit (with its Annexes) provides a number of recommendations, tools, and templates to develop and implement strategies.