CitiStat Pilot Program - Critical Inquiry

[Jim O'Bryan]

Stephen

Many things changed since Ken posted the question. Citistat moved ahead, and there was a announcement that was untrue that it was stopped. I believe though I am not sure is that Citistats is not an overnight process. They came in and with the help of the city evaluated where to start. This is key because again as I understand it Citistats to be highly successful should be implemented across the board.

It is a pretty good way for cities to take a look at what is going on in their city.

However I have to think there are dangers by not looking at everything. Also as I have often pointed out, any good designer can make one number look bad. Red or Black. when given hundreds it is a field day.




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[Stephen Calhoun]

They came in and with the help of the city evaluated where to start. This is key because again as I understand it Citistats to be highly successful should be implemented across the board.

Well, that's a possibly damning assertion. So we have a program purported to be successful if implemented across the board but instead was implemented in a limited test.

(By the way, I'm all in favor of limited tests.)

Also, we have CitiStat working to vet itself? Or, was the implementation the fait accompli of CitiStat being brought to the table in the first place?

Consider, I ask Bobo the Apple Man whether I would benefit from buying his bushel of apples. He sez: "Sure Mr. Buddy!"

***

On the surface things have changed since November 5 when ken asked the questions. One thing that hasn't changed: Lakewood's politicians haven't addressed those questions.

I'm asking those who have rolled out the beta test of CitiStats,

"what did you learn about the potential downsides during the period when you smartly analyzed its various possible outcomes?"

Tis an easy question to address since I'm sure it was asked before the project rolled ahead and out.

Right?

[Stan Austin]

Observers--- Citistat is underway. It is being implemented at 4 departments to begin with because it's a process that by its nature has to be ramped up. It can't be all done at once.
And, it is important to realize that is is a PROCESS. There is no end, it continues. Over the course of the next year all city departments will be included because it is most effective when all are included.
It is important to add this reminder. Citistat is a management tool. It is not a money saving or cost cutting tool.
Stan Austin

[Grace O'Malley]

Stan

Thanks for making Citistat's purpose more clear. i must admit I thought it was a sort of audit that would lead to cost-cutting and other budget changes.


I found this on the web and see it is more a management tool:

http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/news/citistat/

[Bill Call]

Citistat is a management tool. It is not a money saving or cost cutting tool.
Stan Austin

The City of Baltimore claims to have saved 13 million dollars during the first full year citistat was implemented. Other city's claimed to have saved similar amounts. Is Lakewood so efficiently managed that the administration cannot imagine finding ten cents in savings?

One of the core drivers to a successful citistat program is the depth of leadership commitment. Another is the persistance of city managers in questioning the management of departments. I don't see evidence of either at City Hall.

I am skeptical of the City's commitment to this program and its willingness to confront the fiscal crisis that is headed our way.