Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) with a Mission

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Josh Shapiro
Governor | Pennsylvania

Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) with a Mission

Idea Category: Smart Government

Problem

Government budgets are often updated each year based on historical trends rather than adjusting for current needs. This antiquated system of budgeting does not allow governments to find the most effective and efficient ways to serve the needs of their citizens.

Solution

Zero-Based Budgeting with a Mission uses the budget development process to focus government activities on core missions, establish performance measures, and align the organizational structure to the mission, resulting in a transparent, efficient, and effective blueprint for the delivery of services. Each County Department is asked to identify their core mission, identify and eliminate current activities which are outside the mission, and build budgets from the bottom up to meet identified goals.