Reporting Progress is the documentation and reporting of how standards and targets are met, and the sharing of such information through appropriate feedback channels.
A public health organization should track and report progress depending on the goals of its performance management system and its intended uses of the data. When reporting progress, it is important to set criteria and goals for reporting based on the priorities of the organization or program. Choose to report about progress that will resonate with the priorities of those with whom you are sharing the report. For maximum effectiveness and impact, the progress reported should reflect trends over time.
Effective reporting will reflect increased or sustained quality and provide insight about whether a program has been successful. When reporting progress, keep the following questions in mind:
- How does the organization or team document progress related to meeting performance standards and targets?
- How, with whom, and when are reports about progress shared?
- Within the organization, who is accountable for collecting data about how well performance measures are met, and then reporting about these data?
Analysis and interpretation of data are critical components to developing a successful system for reporting progress to stakeholders. Reports about accomplishments and progress should be prepared so that data about progress are easy to understand and interpret. Frequency of reporting may vary depending on the initiative, and reporting progress does not refer exclusively to annual reporting. Many organizations find that offering progress updates at more regular intervals helps to engage leadership, make improvements to programs along the way, or even to stick to project timelines.
Reporting Progress Resources:
Oklahoma: A Case Study in Reporting Agency Results
In this case study, the Oklahoma State Department of Health shares one way of reporting state health data. The story is an example of reporting publically the positive and negative news.
Sedgwick County (KS) Health Department Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
This CHIP report from Sedgwick County offers a good example of how an accreditation requirement can be used in reporting progress.
Community Balanced Scorecards
Community Balanced Scorecards can bring energy to an entire community by focusing on measurement of state, regional, or community improvement strategies to improve performance. Balanced Scorecards encourage the engagement of partnerships to enable better progress toward desired community outcomes.
Improving a Reporting System
The Minnesota Department of Health streamlined its Performance Measurement Reporting System through this initiative.
Tracking the 10 Essential Public Health Services to Improve Data Collection and Measure Accountability
The Jo Daviess County (IL) Health Department developed an electronic reporting system for the systematic collection and documentation of public health activities. Read about how the health department implemented this system.
Sample Evaluation and Action Plan Reporting Forms and Worksheets
These performance-driven reporting forms can be used as templates for reporting progress. These forms list performance measures and targets and include space to report action plans, evaluation plans (including plans to collect and use data for quality improvement), and results.