The department’s performance in undertaking its activities will be assessed during the period covered by this corporate plan using the measures set out at Appendix 2. In using these performance measures, the department aims to ensure that its work is:

• efficient, in the sense that it represents good value for money, and

• effective in delivering the outcomes expected by the Speaker and Members of the House.

The performance measures used by the department are both qualitative and quantitative in nature. This reflects the fact that, while some departmental activities involve the delivery of quantifiable outputs, a significant determinant of the department’s success in achieving its purpose is the level of satisfaction of stakeholders, particularly Members of the House of Representatives and their staff, with the advice and services the department provides.

The qualitative and quantitative measures that will be used by the department to assess its performance in undertaking its activities, and the department’s targets for each measure, are set out in Tables 1 and 2 of Appendix 2.

In addition to these qualitative and quantitative measures, the department monitors its work output by reference to a number of activity measures linked to the activities described above. These activity measures are listed in Table 3 of Appendix 2. No targets are set in respect of activity measures.

The department’s performance in respect of the qualitative measures listed in Table 1 of Appendix 2 is assessed annually by means of a sample survey of Members of the House of Representatives. The outcomes of the survey are included in the department’s annual report.

The department’s performance in respect of the quantitative and activity measures listed in Tables 2 and 3 of Appendix 2 is assessed throughout the year by managers collecting data relevant to the various measures. Data are reported to the Executive at quarterly intervals and included in the department’s annual report.