STARS Realigned: Reengineering Probation’s Performance Management System

The New York City Department of Probation (DOP) is implementing a new model of probation designed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of public safety. This approach leverages case management tools to track the progress of probation clients, as well as assessment tools that reflect client assets, interests and risk to public safety. DOP asked the Capstone team to re-imagine its current performance management system, STARS. The Capstone team developed a critical assessment of current indicators through extensive research on best practices for data-driven probation services management strategies, site visits, and interviews with adult and juvenile operations teams. The team delivered a set of recommendations for improvements to the collection and presentation of data and ongoing performance measurement at DOP.