Implementing an outcomes approach to public management and accountability in the UK—are we learning the lessons?

Abstract

This article examines the implementation of an outcomes approach to public management and accountability within the UK in the local partnership context of single outcome agreements (SOAs) in Scotland and local area agreements (LAAs) in England. Progress with implementation is assessed against the principles of best practice that have been established on the basis of international experience with results based management (RBM). The transferability of international lessons to the UK partnership context is discussed.

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the contributions of John Mayne to the thinking and development of this article and to thank him and Sandra Nutley for her helpful comments and guidance. The article has also benefitted from comments from two anonymous PMM reviewers and from my colleagues Neil Craig and Bron McDonald.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Erica Wimbush

Erica Wimbush is Head of Evaluation at NHS Health Scotland, Edinburgh, UK.