Questions to Ask When Making Tough Budget Decisions

When considering program and agency budgets asking key questions about performance and results can help you make hard decisions. Mark Friedman, originator of the Results Based Accountability approach suggests a framework and the following questions for “ Cutting Budgets with RBA ”

Performance Questions. How does this program, budget item or proposal impact the performance of key services?

· How much did this program do, and for which populations, during the last several fiscal years?

· How well did it do during the past several fiscal years?

· Are the people this program was created to serve better off as a result?

Results Questions. How does this program, budget item or proposal impact conditions of well-being for all the state’s residents?