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Program Assessment Rating Tool

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To enhance the practical use of performance information, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in collaboration with other Federal agencies, developed the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) as a standard method for measuring the performance of all Federal programs. PART establishes a "good government" standard of performance and the results of the assessments are made public.

NCGMP underwent its initial PART examination in 2005 and received a rating of "Moderately Effective."  Detailed information, which includes the questions and answers for NCGMP, can be found on the OMB PART website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/summary.10003722.2005.html.

The following are OMB findings for the Program:

The Program expedites the production of a geologic map base for the Nation, which is helpful with land-use management, assessment, utilization, and conservation of natural resources. The program achieves its goals through federal mapping projects, grants to states and student training.

In general, a program rated Moderately Effective has set ambitious goals and is well-managed. Moderately Effective programs likely need to improve their efficiency or address other problems in the programs' design or management in order to achieve better results.

The program has made progress in meeting long term goals to develop geologic maps for the nation by leveraging resources through grants to states and universities. For example, 53% of the United States has geologic map information available needed by customers/decision makers to make land use and water management decisions.

The program has increased the availability and consistency of geologic maps through development of data collection and management standards and through training and information exchange tools.

Program reviews have not been adequate. While the program employs various methods for reviews, the primary organization conducting reviews was not independent. In addition, the scope of reviews was not sufficient to evaluate all program activities.

We are taking the following actions to improve the performance of the program:
  • Conducting regular, independent reviews of the program.
  • Increasing integration of geologic information to facilitate analysis and decision making.
  • Setting standards for data collection, preservation and exchange.



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Last modified 05-25-2006 10:03



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