Md. Code, State Finance and Procurement § 3-1001

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Agency” means an entity of the Executive Branch of State government.

(c) “Goal” means a broad statement that describes the desired long–term results toward which an agency directs its efforts. Goals support, clarify, and provide direction to the agency’s mission and assist in the application of State resources toward implementation of the managing for results State comprehensive plan.

(d) “Managing for results” means a planning, performance measurement, and budgeting process that emphasizes use of resources to achieve measurable results, accountability, efficiency, and continuous improvement in State government programs.

(e) “Mission” means the purpose for an agency’s existence and includes a description of what an agency does and for whom it does it.

(f) “Objective” means a specific and measurable short–term target for achievement of an agency’s goals and includes a description of the desired results and a target date for accomplishment.

(g) (1) “Performance measure” means a quantitative or qualitative indicator used to assess whether an agency is meeting its goals and objectives.

(2) “Performance measure” includes the following:

(i) an efficiency measure that quantifies the relationship between measures of the inputs used to produce goods or services and the measures of the outputs of these activities;

(ii) an input measure that quantifies the amount of resources used to provide goods and services;

(iii) an outcome measure that quantifies the results an agency achieves or the benefits citizens receive from an agency’s activities;

(iv) an output measure that quantifies the amount of goods and services produced by the agency; and

(v) a quality measure that quantifies or describes:

1. the effectiveness of the agency in meeting agency objectives;

2. aspects of the satisfaction that customers may or may not have with State goods or services; or

3. how State goods or services compare to some external or internal standard.

(h) “State comprehensive plan” means a statement of goals which serve as a broad directive for improving or making more cost effective State resources and services. The plan shall include no more than 10 statewide goals and 50 to 100 performance measures that describe the statewide progress towards its goals.

(i) “StateStat” means the accountability process described in § 3–1003(b) of this subtitle.

(j) “Strategic plan” means a statement of direction implemented by an agency to carry out its mission.