The right metrics can drive world-class performance. Here in the United States and around the globe, performance measurement efforts have exploded in recent years at all levels of governments, as well as in private and nonprofit organizations. Organizational performance measurement systems increasingly are seen not only as the best way to improve the quality of programs and services but also to drive major policy and organizational reform. Public "report cards" of hospitals, nursing homes, schools - and, yes, courts - are helping citizens vote with their feet, their pocketbooks and their political support. They are also giving government agencies and organizations, and their stakeholders, incentives and the tools to look at themselves more closely and critically.

Over the next few years, individual courts and court systems will devote at least as much attention and as many resources to the development of automated performance measurement systems as they have to caseflow management systems. Beginning with a glimpse into what the technology of the future may look like from the point of view of a typical court manager, this SuperSession will explore the trends and forces that point to the prophesy that automated performance measurement systems will be the "next big thing" in court management. Experts representing government agencies, technology firms, and courts will highlight emerging technologies and advancements in collecting, analyzing, and sharing critical performance information. The session will conclude with a challenge that will translate the prophesy to a specific call-to-action for courts, state court systems, and professional court groups. (Full article is available for this session.)

Session Leader: Ingo Keilitz, President, Sherwood Consulting/Court Metrics, Williamsburg, Virginia
Kevin Burke, Chief Judge, Hennepin County District Court, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sherri Z. Heller, Commissioner, Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement, Washington, District of Columbia
Moira O. Rowley, Vice President of Court Services, ACS, Lexington, Kentucky
Roger Warren, President, National Center for State Courts, Williamsburg, Virginia
Gerry Wethington, Chief Information Officer, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, Missouri

Most courts across the US, and around the world, are faced with severe funding shortfalls. The current fiscal crisis is so serious that many courts have initiated or are considering staff and program reductions in response. But budget strategies focused on cost containment alone will fail to meet today's fiscal realities and may well cut into core services and functions, potentially undermining the effectiveness of the courts. Clearly the focus needs to include revenue generation through increased compliance with court-ordered sanctions. This session will frame the legal, practical and political issues related to court compliance and revenue generation. We will also examine strategies and programs that have proven extremely effective in addressing this often under-served area of court performance. Finally, attendees will be directed to solid resources for further information and assistance. (Full article is available for this session.)

The format for this lively SuperSession will be a television newsmagazine format with representative court managers, judges and private sector professionals, with a commercial break from the session sponsors, FACT, the Forum for the Advancement of Court Technology.

Session Leader: Chris Crawford, Justice Served