,The CitiStat Model: How Data-Driven Government Can Increase Efficiency and Effectiveness

The CitiStat Model: How Data-Driven Government Can Increase Efficiency and Effectiveness


 

Publication Date: April 2007

Publisher: Center for American Progress

Author(s): Teresita Perez; Reece Rushing

Research Area: Government

Type: Report

Coverage: Maryland

Abstract:

When Martin O’Malley took over as Baltimore mayor in December 1999, the city gov­ernment suffered from rampant absenteeism. In the Department of Public Works, for example, one in seven employees failed to report to work every day on average. This absenteeism required other employees to pick up the slack, which produced high overtime costs and a huge burden on the city’s finances.

As Maryland’s new governor, O’Malley is now beginning to apply the CitiStat approach to state government. This brings hope that Maryland will set an example for other states, as Baltimore has for other cities.