- The OBA Journey & Accountability
- Developing Strategy at the Whole Population Level
- Managing and Improving Performance
- Recommended Further Reading and On Line Resources
Outcome Based Accountability™ (known as “Results Based Accountability™ outside of England and Northern Ireland) was first developed in the early 1990s by Mark Friedman and is now used extensively across the United States and increasingly in other countries across the world including Australia, China, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. The framework was informed by Mark’s 19 years’ experience in public administration and public policy including six years as Chief Financial Officer for the Maryland Department of Human Resources and is described in detail in his book “Trying Hard is Not Good Enough”
Outcome Based Accountability™ (OBA) is a disciplined way of thinking and taking action that service planners and communities can use to design and monitor strategies to improve the lives of children, families and communities and as the basis for commissioning and improving the performance of projects, programmes and services. Uniquely, OBA makes a clear distinction between accountability to partners and stakeholders for strategies to improve quality of life for whole populations, and the accountability of service providers and commissioners for the impact of individual services and interventions on their client populations, effectively separating means from ends.
The OBA planning process starts at the whole population level, defining the desired population conditions of well-being (outcomes) for all people in a given population and works through to actions in an intuitive and logical seven stage process (the ‘Turning the Curve ‘process). It uses data and baselines to chart progress against outcomes, and as a stark contrast to crude target setting processes, measures improvement as distance travelled or “Curves Turned”.
OBA establishes a common, jargon free language to enable partner organisations and stakeholders to communicate more effectively thereby maximising community engagement and partner added value. The “Turning the Curve” process moves groups from talk to action and by establishing appropriate accountability, aims to break the often endless “All Talk and No Action” cycles of meetings that often characterise this work.
The performance management element of OBA measures the effectiveness of services and interventions and the impact on their client or service-user populations by choosing measures as answers to three questions: How much did we do? How well did we do it? Is anyone any better off? The focus is on “Better Off” measures or service user outcomes and provides a simple yet robust framework for commissioning and managing performance.
“David is a terrific teacher and consultant. He’s one of the foremost OBA trainers coaching Outcomes Based Accountability™ in the world. You won’t be disappointed working with him.”
Mark Freidman, Fiscal Policy Studies Institute, New Mexico, USA
Further information about Outcome Based Accountability™
- The OBA Journey & Accountability
- Developing Strategy at the Whole Population Level
- Managing and Improving Performance
- Recommended Further Reading and On Line Resources
Acknowledgements and Copyright The content in the Outcome Based Accountability™ Pages is based on the work of Mark Freidman who retains the original copyright. The material is presented with his formal approval.
The OBA framework is free for use by government and non-profit/NGO organisations. Limited permission is granted to government and non-profit organizations to use materials from the raguide.org and resultsaccountability.com websites. Such organisations may copy, distribute and use this material, providing it is done with full attribution and in the interest of improving the well-being of children, adults, families and communities.
Materials may not be used for profit-making purposes without the written consent of the Fiscal Policy Studies Institute Inc. For purposes of this notice, profit making organisations include non-profit organisations that provide, and charge fees for, consulting services. Licensing fees and other requirements for use of OBA materials by for-profit organisations are managed by Clear Impact and details can be found on their website here.
Where there is any conflict between this notice and the website provisions, the website provisions take precedence. Small for-profit organisations (as defined on the web page)are not subject to licensing fees. Such organisations may get formal permission for free use of RBA material by sending an email request to markatfpsi@gmail.com
Pete Chilvers
Chief Executive, SDSA
We have worked with David for several years in a number of leadership development programmes. David’s contribution is now one of the first onto the drawing board of any new programme design as his presentation around leadership for outcomes is always totally relevant, challenging and well-received. His presentation of OBA/RBA serves as a powerful reminder of the core purpose of public service.
Ian Burbidge
(Previous) Policy & Performance Manager, Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk
David has brought a fresh approach and a sense of humour to our partnership working, helping us cut through the talk to get at the actions we need to take to make things better in our area. As a facilitator he is always highly rated by delegates.
Carol Cooper-Smith
Director, Barnsley Development Agency
I have worked with David Burnby on numerous occasions and on very different subject areas, eg LEGI, workforce development, social enterprise. His facilitation skills are excellent and he has a real talent for involving people and bringing out fresh ideas. We’ve been particularly impressed with his work on Outcome Based AccountabilityTM.
Philip Houlden
Justices' Clerk, Humber Division
David assisted with some important work in relation to how best to engage with residents and community groups. His knowledge and skill was a vital part of establishing that aspect of my project which needed to be handled carefully and sensitively
Steve Brennan
Chief Finance Officer, NHS North Kirklees CCG
David worked with us to introduce the OBA approach to our senior clinical leaders and managerial staff. This invaluable session struck a chord with us in terms of how we can make a big impact on improving the health and social care for our population with the scarce resources we have at our disposal.
Professor Marjorie Mayo
Professional and Community Education, Goldsmiths, University of London
David is one of the most effective and inspiring facilitators that I have ever come across. He has the most imaginative and engaging way of working with groups, providing the knowledge that participants need whilst stimulating their interest and enthusiasm. David combines an apparently relaxed style with the most demanding professional standards – highly recommended.
Nick Warren
Chief Executive (Retired), Voluntary Action Sheffield
I have worked with David on a number of occasions in recent years and appreciate his skills at facilitating focussed discussion within a diverse group of individuals, analysing complex data and providing the tools for effective decision-making.
Rikki Arundel
,
Whenever I attend an event that David is facilitating I know it will be a lively and interesting meeting. He has immense knowledge of the voluntary and public sectors, always up to date with the ever changing regulations and has a remarkable ability to help everyone at a meeting get the most from it. I highly recommend him
Liz Richardson
Research Fellow, IPEG (Institute for Political and Economic Governance), University of Manchester
David is one of the most knowledgeable and inspiring co-trainers I’ve worked with who is able to give people that ‘light bulb’ moment and offer them real tools for skills development.
Nick Pontone
Previous Manager, Hull Business Forum
David’s knowledge and facilitation skills have helped bring our business forum meetings alive. His blend of audience engagement, incisive questions and good humour has consistently been a major factor in the success of our events.
Russ Waterman Ma MCMI ABCI
Manager, Hull Youth Justice Service, Hull City Council
Working in law enforcement and facing the prospect of integrating other public service personnel into the wider policing family long before it became a buzz word could have been a headache without the expertise of David and his team. The training and exercising of leadership and partnership skills was unbeatable and had an immediate and positive effect on our new teams putting them at the forefront of partnership working
Kim McLaughlin
Head of Community Planning and Performance, Fermanagh & Omagh Council
I just wanted to take a moment again to thank you for delivering today’s session and for the work that you put in with us to pull together the programme and to support us in improving our scorecards – its been invaluable to us. I hope to be able to engage your support further as we work towards a new Corporate Plan for the Council over the coming months which we aim to align closely to the Community Plan and to take forward using OBA. (February 2019)
Becky Clarke
Health Trainer Service Manager, Hull Health Trainer Service, (NHS Hull)
David planned and facilitated a team away day for us in the middle of service and team change management. His advice proved to be invaluable in terms of management objectives being achieved and he gauged the sessions just right. I am both pleased and surprised by how the team dynamics changed following this day. Five months on and the team are positive about further developments to the service and working together
Chris Simpson
(Previously) Head of Community Regeneration and Culture, Blyth Valley Borough Council
David was a great help to us in Blyth Valley in carrying out a review of the VCS infrastructure support in the area. He has extensive knowledge of working in the sector and his final report helped us map out a way forward.
Kevin Curley
Chief Executive (Retired), NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action)
A top quality facilitator and adviser, David works from a strong values base and always delivers on his promises. Highly recommended.
Victoria Bissett
Previous Director, Artlink Centre for Community Arts
David is a fantastic facilitator, he is creative and intellegent in his approach and has a genuine care and consideration for you (the client) and for all taking part and experiencing the event
David Hewitt
City Performance Officer, Corporate Policy Unit, Sheffield City Council
I was impressed by the way David tailored an excellent facilitation skills course to our requirements. It was full of useful techniques we can take away and use. It was also helpful that David clearly understood the wider context in which Local Authorities work so that he could use examples that were meaningful to us. Recommended without reservation!
Jackie Wright
Haven Project Manager, Goodwin Development Trust
Our confidence [in you] was not misplaced at all. Already we have improved communication and understanding within the team which is great. Thank you for your understanding and excellent handling of both the issues and us as individuals on the day. Very positive feedback has been received from all members of the team on the day.
Dr Ian Kelly
Chief Executive, Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce
David’s passion and enthusiasm is what makes his work as facilitator such a success. He is great fun to work with and his preparation and insight tease out all the key issues under discussion.
Nathan Elvery
Chief Executive, West Sussex County Council
Thank you for the session, it has ignited my organisation and has come at the right time as we plan for the challenges that lay ahead for our organisation, no different to the rest of local government but we are having to change our thinking. The session had very positive feedback and I have already had a list of volunteers to take this forward.
Ian McGregor
General Manager, Tees Valley Leisure
I was involved in David’s Outcome Based Accountability (OBA) 2 day course. From what was expected to be a very complex matter upon building strategies to influence outcomes across a broad population, David managed to make the journey simple, straightforward and practical, turning talk into action. I’d advocate businesses adopting OBA and suggest that people should make contact with David to find out more.
Tony Kluge
Planning and Partnerships Manager, ABMU Local Health Board, Swansea Locality
The training provided by David was well put together and thought out, resulting in an engaged group of senior management from across a range of organisations in the city. The course was pitched confidently and generated a great deal of discussion; whilst not being too technical, it assumed a relevant level of understanding from the audience.
Jenny Gavin-Allen
North Lincolnshire Council,
Working with David Burnby to embed Outcome Based AccountabilityTM within the Acorns Neighbourhood Management initiative has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Under David’s expert tutelage, residents and service providers have worked together with the team to develop a common vision, with clear outcomes, indicators and performance measures that we all understand and can share in achieving together.