ProvStat
Since 2003, ProvStat has been the driving force behind data collection and analysis in the City of Providence, and has been working with department and agency directors on the development of meaningful metrics by which to measure progress on operating goals, improvements in service delivery, and efficient use of City resources.
By implementing user-friendly data collection schemes and systems, ProvStat has laid the foundation for what has become a valuable and widely-used management practice: data-driven decision-making.
In the beginning, ProvStat provided hands-on assistance with the transformation of the City’s technology infrastructure, designing and building customized data bases and software applications that would bring some City departments from paper-laden operation to the brave new world of electronic data capture.
Later, ProvStat assisted the departments with data analyses and reports that would not only inform managers about their day-today operations in a way that they had never seen before, but it also became the basis for regular reviews of City departments by the Mayor.
These days, managers are now utilizing internal, administrative data reports, GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping, and trend-noting bar graphs as they chart their courses to improved organization, improved operation, resource deployment, and resource allocation.
Gone are operating decisions and improvement strategies based on gut-feel, guesswork, and anecdotes. Today, ProvStat has become a valuable management tool for both the Mayor and City Directors.
Dynamic ProvStat
In 2008, ProvStat broadened its scope: continuing to collect, analyze and provide management-level data and, at the same time, tracking results on wider-ranging City efforts, including goals and initiatives involving action from multiple City Departments.
ProvStat now tracks and measures key results areas as well as city initiatives and programs which align with the Mayor’s five Strategic Goals for the City of Providence: Honest, Efficient Government, Safe Streets, Thriving Kids, Strong Neighborhoods and A Prosperous Economy.
ProvStat has grown from supporting a management culture of ‘Data-Driven Decision Making’, to a culture of ‘Managing For Results’. It has moved from measuring activity and outputs to measuring outcomes.
Going forward, there will be more emphasis on measuring and managing performance. And, there will be an enhanced accountability with the new ProvStat, enabling the Mayor to ensure that City Government is being responsive, that programs and initiatives are operating effectively and efficiently, and that tax dollars are being well spent.
More About ProvStat
Q. Who attends ProvStat Meetings?
A. In addition to the Mayor, the ProvStat Panel, made up of the following City officials, attends ProvStat Meeting reviews:
- Chief of Staff
- Director of Administration
- Director of Operations
- Director of ProvStat
- Deputy Chief of Staff
- Policy Director
- City Solicitor
- Director of Human Resources
- Director of Communications
- Chief Information Officer
Q. Who determines what to measure, how to measure it?
A. ProvStat works with Dept. Directors and other City
officials to determine useful metrics and performance measures.
Q. How does ProvStat access the data for the Meeting?
A. ProvStat establishes data collection procedures and deadlines for obtaining all data used at
ProvStat Meetings.
Q. How frequently is ProvStat Meeting held?
A. It varies … usually, about once a month. The meeting schedule as well as the topic to be reviewed are established by ProvStat.
For more information, contact us via email at ProvStatInfo@providenceri.com or call (401) 421-2489 ext 736. |
City Hall Contact Information & Hours
Providence City Hall
Phone: (401) 421-7740 · TDD (401) 751-0203
25 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI 02903
