Starting performance measurement from outside government in Worcester.

The article provides information on the developments and efforts of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau in measuring the performance of the local government in Worcester, Massachusetts. In 1999, the bureau started working with groups of citizen to develop and refine measures that would benchmark the progress of the city. Moreover, the bureau adapted the Computerized Neighborhood Environment Tracking (ComNET) in 2000, which was designed for New York City's Center on Government Performance. The improvements Worcester experienced as a result of implementing ComNET are discussed.