Evaluation of the Multijurisdictional Task Forces (MJTFs), Phase II: MJTF Performance Monitoring Guide

• NCJ Number: 228942
• Author(s): William Rhodes; Christina Dyous; Meg Chapman; Michael Shively; Dana Hunt; Kristen Wheeler
• Date Published: February 2009
• Length: 88 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2005-DD-BX-0002
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Corporate Author: Abt Associates, Inc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/NCJRS; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For the Project Summary see NCJ-228943

Annotation

This report describes the intent and the achievements of Phase II of a project designed to produce evidence-based guidance on monitoring and evaluating multijurisdictional drug task forces (MJTFs); the primary product of Phase II was a guide developed to assist the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and State administrative agencies (SAAs) and others in developing a performance monitoring system for MJTFs.

Abstract

The template for a performance monitoring system presented in this guide resulted from collaboration between BJA, the National Institute of Justice, and Abt Associates, Inc., with the assistance and advice of SAAs from Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, and Tennessee, as well as consultation with task force commanders. Following an introduction that provides an overview of the rationale, intent, and audience for the guide, the use of performance measures to monitor MJTFs is discussed. The first chapter focuses on what to measure when monitoring performance. It first discusses logic models, which are commonly used to link a program's goals with its strategies and tactics. Such models are particularly useful when they break down a program as complex as MJTFs. In describing the development of a logic model, the chapter addresses defining goals, identifying all inputs/resources, listing program activities, identifying and developing output and outcome measures, and thinking through impacts. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the use of the logic model to move to a performance monitoring system. Chapter 2 focuses on collecting data for performance measurement, with attention to the development of a template for a multijurisdictional task force performance measurement system. This is followed by a chapter on the analysis of MJTF performance in the course of performance monitoring. The concluding chapter addresses practical steps and advanced analysis in performance monitoring. Appended references, a performance measurement template, and an analysis worksheet