What is a results/performance-based delivery system? An invited presentation to the European Parliament

The European Parliament has been considering changes to the cohesion (or regional) policy of the European Union (EU) that forms a key instrument for the EU to promote social, economic and territorial cohesion. It would like the new policy to be more results oriented and invited experts to advise it in this regard. This article consists of an invited address given to the European Parliament Committee on Regional Development. This presentation briefly touched upon the following considerations: 1. What does it mean to have a results-oriented system? 2. Why is this important, and what does it involve? 3. How can the EU Cohesion Policy move in this direction, distinguishing between the illusion and the reality of a results-oriented strategy and implementation? The key message of the presentation is that a results-oriented approach means orienting all aspects of planning and management on outcomes rather than on process. This represents a new way of thinking and managing that needs to be reflected in all aspects of management. Indicators can represent one form of support for a results-oriented system, but they have significant limitations as well as strengths, and by themselves do not constitute a results orientation.