Quick Guide CAPGoal Lessons Learned Plan Phase 2017.12
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Overview
The Performance Improvement Council (PIC) identified lessons learned and best practices through interviews with Cross
Agency Priority (CAP) Goal leaders and teams. The following are key considerations for success when implementing and
evaluating a CAP Goal.
Identify Key Stakeholders
Identify stakeholders on both the Management and Budget sides of Office of Management and Budget who can
assist Goal Teams with finding pathways for agencies to get work done.
Connect CAP Goals for the appropriate Executive Council to assist agencies, provide an additional accountability
mechanism for implementation, and potentially provide resource support to the CAP Goal.
Identify Strategies
Develop, assess, and prioritize strategies as a Goal Team and, if possible, with the Goal Leader
Clearly articulate the goal’s theory of change that maps strategies, activities, milestones, and measures to
intended goal outcomes
Create a clear strategy roadmap and identify the role that participating agencies will play so that key players
understand their roles
Connect goal strategies to Agency strategic goals and objectives where possible
Identify which strategies the center of Government can uniquely contribute to
Determine How to Measure Progress
Engage the Goal Team early in identifying and developing meaningful and easily understandable measures to
determine what success looks like and how it will be measured
Identify outcome measures where possible. If ideal outcome measures are out of reach, identify proxy measures
that will reflect progress made on the goal
Build a goal roadmap that includes quick wins along the path to keep the momentum going and the team
motivated
Manage for Success
Leverage existing governance structures or create new ones that include each participating agency in order to
clearly identify roles and responsibilities, communication pathways, and accountability mechanisms
Capitalize on existing accountability mechanisms (e.g. Agency Strategic Reviews, Agency Priority Goals) to
enhance accountability, reviews, and alignment
Outline specific routines for the Goal Leader and Goal Team to ensure momentum across the goal’s four years
(e.g. quarterly meetings). Do not underestimate the power of routines and the discipline of project management
Schedule in-person meetings with Goal Leaders at least twice per year to maintain their engagement and signal
to the Goal Team that they are committed to driving progress on the goal. Ensure the Goal Leaders review
progress at least quarterly.
Leverage the Goal Leaders to message the importance of collaboration across agencies
Staff the Goal Team appropriately with dedicated team members, both subject manner experts and individuals
with broader experience (project management, communications, etc.)
CAP Goal Lessons Learned Phase 2: Plan
the Goal
CAP Goal Lessons Learned Phase 2: Plan
the Goal
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The Performance Improvement Council (PIC) is the heartbeat of government performance management. The PIC shares best
practices and builds capacity across the federal government to help agencies set, plan and achieve priorities for the American
Public. The council staff sit at the General Services Administration and can be reached at fed2fedsolutions@gsa.gov.
Develop a Communication Strategy
Communicate internally early and often during the planning phase to get agency buy-in
Clearly articulate the value proposition for key stakeholders. Where possible, do this in non-political terms to
gain broad buy-in and ensure longevity of effort
Build a strategic communication plan that extends beyond reporting on the Performance.gov platform
Leverage the White House where possible to message the importance of the goals
CAP Goal Lessons Learned Phase 2: Plan
the Goal
Last modified 06/2018
