As a native Iowan, I’m proud to pass along the Bureaucracy Detector Test, developed by Iowa’s Department of Management to expose performance gaps in state government. It turns out that, with a few wording changes, you can apply the test to any organization. Here’s the test:

Bureaucracy Detector Test

Rate the following on a scale of 1 (not at all) to 7 (often):

1. ____ To what extent do agencies in your jurisdiction feel accountable for following rules, regulations, and procedures prescribed in law or policy?
2. ____ To what extent do agencies in your jurisdiction feel accountable for producing measurable outcomes for people?
3. ____ To what extent to agencies in your jurisdiction encounter rules or procedures that impair their ability to perform?
4. ____ To what extent are agencies in your jurisdiction allowed to interpret the application of a rule or law themselves, as opposed to having someone in another agency responsible for enforcing the rule or law make the interpretation?
5. ____ To what extent do agencies in your jurisdiction spend time or money to comply with rules, laws, or reporting requirements that they feel are a waste of time?
6. ____ To what extent do the people in agencies responsible for enforcing administrative rules and regulations understand the work in a frontline agency and what is important to the success of the frontline agency in meeting the needs of those that agency serves?

Scoring

For the odd numbered questions, enter the sum of the three numbers here: ____. For the even numbered questions add the three numbers, subtract the total from 21, and enter the result here: ____. Total these two numbers to arrive at your Bureaucracy Detector Test Score: _____.

Scoring Key:

25-42   You are not a performance-based organization

20-25   There is potential in adopting performance-based concepts for your jurisdiction.

15-20   Worth exploring performance-based concepts

10-15   You are well on your way to being a performance-based organization

< 10     You are in performance government heaven

To read more about improving performance in government, click on these articles:

• Advice for the Country’s First CPO
• Federal Government OFIs
• The City as a Baldrige System
• Serving Citizens Better

(5 votes, average: 4.60 out of 5)

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