(ASQ: Milwaukee) -- An executive order issued by President Bush that establishes mechanisms for improving government performance was greeted by ASQ as a welcome measure for ensuring effective and efficient application of taxpayer resources.

“We commend the president for his farsightedness in issuing the executive order and the officials at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for their enthusiasm in setting up structures and processes for implementing the order,” says Mike Nichols, ASQ president.

The Executive Order on Improving Government Program Performance was issued to “improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the federal government.”  As part of that order, a performance improvement council was established within OMB.

The council coordinates the activities of newly appointed performance improvement officers who represent each executive-branch agency.  Those activities include supervising performance-management activities, development of strategic plans and annual performance plans, program performance assessment, and establishment of means for measuring progress toward achievement of goals.

Representatives of ASQ are holding discussions with officials at OMB to explore ways that ASQ can assist in implementation and ongoing operations of the performance improvement council.

For more information, visit http://www.asq.org/media-room/press-releases/2008/20080626-bush-perf-imp....