BCSTAT

An Overview of Baltimore County's First Performance Management Program

A Review of the First 3 Months

What is BCSTAT?

BCSTAT is Baltimore County's first performance management program, initiated by County Executive Johnny Olszewski, to foster a data-driven culture, create accountability, improve performance, ensure data quality and increase government transparency.

As part of the Office of Government Reform & Strategic Initiatives (GRSI), BCSTAT’s mission is to incorporate data into decision making and apply data-driven analysis to every day operations across county departments.

Quarterly Department and Priority tracking sessions are key components of the BCSTAT program, providing a continuous, in-depth, data-based view of high-priority issues.

During these sessions, overall performance, notable trends, success stories and areas for improvement are discussed in an effort to develop strategies for enhanced future performance.

“Data-driven management is critical for both innovation and reform. At the core of every innovative public sector team is the value that data is a strategic asset.”

Source: Baltimore County Government Transition Report, Government Reform and Innovation, Page 22



Department Tracking

BCSTAT Department tracking sessions are collaborative efforts which include the County Executive, the Executive Leadership Team, and the Directors of Human Resources, Law, Information Technology and Budget and Finance, along with leadership from the relevant departments.

The First Department Tracking Session

On November 13, 2019, BCSTAT hosted the first Department Tracking session featuring the Baltimore County Department of Corrections (DOC). 

BCSTAT provided an analysis of various DOC data sets, including budget, overtime, staffing and vacancy information.

The Second Department Tracking Session

On December 20, 2019, BCSTAT hosted the second Department Tracking session featuring the Baltimore County Fire Department (BCFD).

In each session, BCSTAT presents department performance data, which often includes national and industry standards as a benchmark. For example, BCFD adheres to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for coverage zones, which helps provide more efficient fire suppression and improved safety.

The Third Department Tracking Session

On January 17, 2020, BCSTAT hosted the third Department Tracking session featuring the Baltimore County Department of Aging. 

BCSTAT utilizes geographic information systems (GIS) data for mapping. The map to the right shows Baltimore County senior centers in relation to the 60+ population and average daily attendance.

Priority Tracking

Priority Tracking sessions are cross-departmental, collaborative, data-driven forums that highlight important issues affecting communities within the County, such as the opioid crisis, public safety, housing and homelessness, and transportation.

The First Priority Tracking

The first ever Priority Tracking session occurred on February 7, 2020, and focused on the opioid epidemic. It included representatives from the County Executive's Leadership Team, and the Police Department, Fire Department, Health and Human Services Department and Department of Corrections. Visit our Opioid Priority Tracking Snapshot for more information.

The Way Ahead

"We will only succeed in this work if we are honest about where we must do more to live up to our potential, where we've lagged behind in accountability, and what it will take to make Baltimore County the best it can be. I promise to modernize our government, enhance our internal operations to allow us to better measure where we really are, define where we want to go, and determine how we got there." - County Executive, John "Johnny O" Olszewsksi

Source: Message from the County Executive, Baltimore County Strategic Plan, Page 4