From planning to performance: why this moment matters

With Corporate Plans now published across Australian Government departments and agencies, we are entering a pivotal phase. The strategic direction is set. The intentions are clear. Now comes the real challenge: translating those plans into performance that is meaningful, measurable, and defensible.

Well-defined measures of success that can be monitored on an ongoing basis keep an organisation on track, provide executives with timely feedback to make decisions about organisational alignment and resource management, focused on performing for maximum impact to support government objectives and meet the needs and expectations of the Australian Community.

At Synergy Group, we see this moment as a powerful opportunity. Not just to meet compliance requirements, but to build clarity, confidence, and connection across teams. This is the time to lay strong foundations for performance reporting that reflects purpose and impact.

One of the most practical ways to do this is through developing business planning, budgeting and success measures. We are going to focus here on Performance Measure Audit Trails. These documents support the Portfolio Budget Statement, Corporate Plan, and Annual Performance Statement. More importantly, they help teams move from planning to performance with shared understanding and assurance.

Why act now? Because early action creates space to:

• Clarify roles and responsibilities
• Test and refine data collection processes
• Strengthen internal assurance
• Prepare for ANAO performance statement audits
• Reduce stress and risk at year-end.

But the deeper reason is this: well-documented performance measures build trust.  They support transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. They help tell the story of how public funds are used to deliver outcomes that matter.

Section 16EA of the PGPA Rule outlines the minimum requirements for performance measures. The real value lies in how those requirements are interpreted and applied. When done well, Audit Trails become a living resource that supports:

• Reliable and verifiable data
• Balanced and unbiased assessment
• A mix of qualitative and quantitative insights
• Longitudinal tracking and learning over time.

This is not just about ticking boxes. it is about building capability and confidence. It is about enabling meaningful conversations about performance and impact.

If your team is navigating this space and wondering where to start, Synergy Group is here to support you. Whether it is reviewing existing documentation, facilitating collaborative workshops, or helping uplift your performance measures, we bring a strategic lens grounded in experience, care, and collaboration.

Let's make this transition from planning to performance a strong one.

Reach out if you would like to explore how we can support your team.

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