Structural Framework of Annual Performance Agreement for Managing Public Sector Performance in Bangladesh: Assessment of the Gaps

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Abstract

The Government of Bangladesh introduced Annual performance Agreement in 2015 to enhance accountability and responsiveness in public sector organizations.  This agreement follows a structure. The main objective of this study was to assess the gaps in the current structural framework and also to explore some potential solutions.  To achieve these objectives a survey with semi structured questionnaire was conducted with the participation of APA focal points from 30 different Ministries/Divisions. Apart from this a focus group discussion and Key Informant Interview of 5 experts in this field were also held. The study revealed that the current structure was not able to ensure logical performance of the organizations. It could not prevent easy and arbitrary target setting in absence of a linkage between budget and activities. Absence of a monitoring framework also impeded its implementation. Furthermore, the current structure was unable to address the qualitative aspects of performance. The result also demonstrated that the structure was complex with some unnecessary sections and annexures. The potential solutions included creating a format for linking budget with the activities, mentioning the base of each target linking it with relevant policies/plans and projects, developing a separate monitoring framework and removing unnecessary sections and annexes.   The study emphasized addressing these gaps/constraints through considering the recommended solutions for making the current framework comprehensive, performance focused and more effective.