Ytelsesmål

Ytelsesmål is a term used in public administration and policy analysis in Norway and other Nordic countries to describe targets for the delivery of services or outputs. The word combines ytelse (service, output, benefit) and mål (goal, target), and is often contrasted with innsatsmål (input or effort targets) and effektmål (outcome or impact targets).

Ytelsesmål quantify what a program, agency, or service provider delivers to beneficiaries, clients, or the public. Examples include the number of inspections completed, meals served, clients assisted, or claims processed within a specified period. They focus on the quantity of services produced and delivered, rather than the resources used to produce them or the long-term effects.

In practice, ytelsesmål are used in performance-based budgeting, service contracts with providers, and monitoring frameworks. They are frequently designed to be verifiable and scalable, and are often combined with quality indicators to prevent a sole emphasis on volume. Critics argue that an overemphasis on output can incentivize gaming, encourage lower service quality, or neglect outcomes if not paired with appropriate quality and effectiveness measures.

Advocates note that ytelsesmål provide clear, measurable benchmarks that support accountability and managerial oversight and enable comparisons across agencies or regions. The exact design and emphasis of ytelsesmål vary by country and sector, but the concept remains a common element in Nordic performance management.

See also: innsatsmål, effektmål, resultatmåling, performance management.