Results-Based Management Overview

In recent years, the federal government has intensified its focus on the need for reliable and measurable performance information. To that end, the Treasury Board Secretariat has defined clear and concise expectations regarding the management of the Government of Canada’s policies, programs and initiatives. These expectations — articulated in the federal government’s management framework Results for Canadians and embodied in the modern comptrollership initiative — require that government focus on achieving measurable results for Canadians.

Results-based management requires that managers look beyond the inputs, activities and outputs of policies, programs and initiatives and focus on their impacts and effects. Managers must clearly define results to be achieved as well as measure and evaluate the performance of a policy, program and initiative throughout its life cycle. In doing so, managers will be better equipped to allocate resources where they are most needed and where they have the most impact.

Results-Based Management and Accountability Frameworks (RMAFs)

RMAFs are developed at the outset of programs, policies and initiatives and are meant to serve as blueprints for managing, measuring and effectively reporting results as well as for linking those results to resources. When used, RMAFs help managers:

• enhance the management of policies, programs and initiatives,
• link results to resources,
• define roles and responsibilities for key partners clearly and concisely,
• increase transparency and accountability, and
• embed the performance measurement discipline into departmental management practices.

It is important to note that RMAFs are mandatory requirements for any transfer payment program. For more information, please refer to Treasury Board’s Policy on Transfer Payments.

Departmental Evaluation Services has developed a RMAF template that TC managers should use in the development RMAFs. The template is consistent with current guidance from Treasury Board Secretariat - Preparing and Using Results-based Management and Accountability Frameworks and Guidance for Strategic Approach to Results-based Management and Accountability Frameworks - including the requirement for departmental heads of evaluation to sign off on RMAFs.