ABSTRACT
The development of performance management in public organizations has occurred along the following pathways, shaped by the tensions and themes. Organizing work, managing employees, measuring performance, and overcoming resistance are some of the pathways of performance management in public organizations. Performance management should be based on some common beliefs and principles like optimism, a realistic view, balancing analysis with politics, use of science for analysis, and inspired leadership. Performance management builds on a foundation of technical and ethical knowledge. Leaders determine which values their organizations promote and also how these values are reflected through strategies and program goals. Such determinations require the courage of convictions and solid professional skills. The chapter presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book. It examines specific performance management strategies, including those dealing with quality, employee motivation, and privatization and addresses the issues of performance measurement.
