9 Categories for Measuring State and Local Government Efficiency, Effectiveness, and more

As state and local governments across the U.S. adopt DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) or similar initiatives, it's critical to have a standardized way to assess their effectiveness. At the core of our evaluation model are nine key categories that reflect how well a government entity is streamlining operations, reducing waste, and improving transparency. These categories form the foundation of our Radar Score, a holistic performance tool with a maximum of 45 total points  given to any organization. Here's a breakdown of each category, how they function, and what they mean in the context of public sector reform.

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1. Audit

Audits are essential for identifying inefficiencies, financial irregularities, and areas of improvement. We evaluate whether a state or local government has robust internal and external auditing procedures, including performance and compliance audits. The presence of regular, transparent audits increases a government’s credibility and accountability.

2. Compliance

Regulatory compliance ensures that public agencies follow laws, standards, and ethical guidelines. This category measures how well governments adhere to federal, state, and local regulations. A strong score here indicates comprehensive systems for legal compliance and enforcement across departments.

3. Effectiveness

Efficiency is only valuable if it delivers results. This category measures whether programs and policies are achieving their intended outcomes. We assess the use of KPIs, metrics dashboards, and whether the organization is optimizing its operations for real-world impact.

4. Efficiency

Often the centerpiece of DOGE programs, efficiency measures how effectively governments streamline workflows, reduce costs, and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy. A high efficiency score means that a government is leveraging technology, process automation, and smart staffing to do more with less.

5. Fraud

Fraud detection and prevention are fundamental to public trust. This score reflects whether the government has systems in place to detect, report, and reduce fraud, waste, and abuse. Dedicated fraud units, hotlines, whistleblower protections, and follow-through enforcement are all strong indicators.

6. Reform

Governments must continually evolve. The Reform category evaluates structural or policy changes implemented to modernize operations. Whether through agency consolidation, technology upgrades, or new governance models, reform reflects a willingness to adapt and improve.

7. Risk

Public sector organizations face operational, financial, and compliance-related risks. This category assesses how well governments identify, manage, and mitigate these risks. Strong risk management frameworks, cybersecurity protocols, and scenario planning elevate scores in this area.

8. Transparency

Transparency builds public trust and promotes civic engagement. Governments score highly here when they openly publish financial data, performance metrics, and program details. Open data portals, budget visualizations, and FOIA responsiveness are important indicators.

9. Waste

Waste reduction is about identifying and eliminating spending that doesn’t provide value. Governments are evaluated on their ability to cut redundant programs, reallocate resources, and implement cost-saving initiatives without reducing service quality.

Scoring Methodology

Each category is scored from 0 to 9, with a maximum total score of 45 points. Evaluations are based on publicly available data, government reports, executive orders, legislative activity, and transparency portals. The higher the score, the more effectively the government is delivering streamlined, accountable, and citizen-focused services.

By standardizing how we measure government efficiency across these 9 categories, the Radar Score offers an accessible, data-driven way to compare state and local government performance. Whether you're a policymaker, watchdog, or engaged citizen, understanding these metrics is key to driving meaningful reform.