Strategy Execution

4 Success Stories: Excellence in Performance Measurement – Summer 2025

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Mary King

It’s time for our favorite series, where we talk about what got done by our Envisionaries and why it matters. 

We <3 highlighting outcomes of the hard work of our customers because they demonstrate public accountability in action. Communities need proof that strategic plans lead to real results, and local government performance dashboards give leaders a way to show progress clearly. Celebrating these achievements reinforces the value of measurement, encourages other organizations to do the same, and reminds residents that their feedback has a visible impact! 

This summer, four communities used performance data to deliver projects that matter. The outcomes touch on transit, sustainability, rural mobility, and community wellbeing—and each one shows that strategic planning backed by measurement produces visible results.

Oshkosh added comfort and reliability to its transit center, and strengthened its approach to pedestrian planning. Glencoe launched work on its first Sustainability Action Plan after residents spoke in favor of protecting trees, water, and ravines. North Grenville expanded rural transit with clear public transit performance measures available for all to see. Welland advanced projects across all four of their strategic pillars, including major steps toward becoming a more livable city.

Or, to keep it simple: Oshkosh kept things moving, Village of Glencoe went green, North Grenville put itself on the map, and Welland managed to do it all at once. 

Curious? Read on…  

These achievements reflect communities measuring progress, following through, and sharing results publicly. We hope you enjoy learning about these outcomes, and maybe even use them as some inspiration for your own planning. 

Oshkosh, WI: Transit and Pedestrian Planning

Public transit and pedestrian planning is at the heart of data-driven planning in modern cities. 

Public transit makes cities more livable; in addition to keeping carbon emissions down in a city, a well connected community also helps create independence for residents who do not own cars or cannot drive. The availability of reliable transit connects people to work, recreation, healthcare, and education.

The City of Oshkosh has been tracking its transit data closely, monitoring the percentage of buses and paratransit services that arrive within 15 minutes of schedule. That information goes straight to the heart of reliability. When a city measures on-time performance with that level of precision, it tells riders that the service is being watched and that improvement matters.

City of Oshkosh Public Dashboard

You can explore more of Oshkosh’s strategic outcomes on their Envisio public dashboard

This summer, the Oshkosh team also completed a major project at the downtown transit center. The new facilities include restrooms, a climate-controlled waiting area, and an expanded platform. These upgrades address accessibility and usability while also making the space safer for pedestrians. They connect directly to broader pedestrian planning goals for the city—ensuring residents can walk, bike, and ride transit with confidence. 

By publishing performance metrics and expanding infrastructure, Oshkosh demonstrates a commitment to measurable progress in mobility, livability, and accessibility. 

Village of Glencoe, IL: Advancing a Sustainability Action Plan

Glencoe residents have been clear about their priorities. A 2023 survey showed overwhelming support for environmental protection, with 97 percent of respondents rating water, trees, and ravines as highly important. Waste reduction, composting, and conservation followed closely behind. 

That type of feedback doesn’t leave room for hesitation, and the Glencoe team has responded with action.

Village of Glencoe Sustainability Action Plan Dashboard

Village of Glencoe published their survey results on their public dashboard, marking a significant step towards transparency in their sustainability action plan. 

In June of 2025, Glencoe’s Village Board approved a consultant, PaleBLUEdot, to lead the development of the village’s first Sustainability Action Plan. The plan is intended to serve as a framework for guiding operational and capital projects while aligning with the work of the Sustainability Task Force. Every future investment—whether it relates to waste management, infrastructure, or natural resources—will be assessed through this sustainability action plan, giving residents clear progress markers to track.

The challenges are real. The plan may require costly changes, and the process depends on participation from schools, the park district, and other partners. Public engagement will also be a major hurdle. 

Yet the choice to move forward sends a clear signal: Socially, the plan responds to generational expectations for climate accountability. Politically, the adoption of a Sustainability Action Plan builds measurable outcomes into an area of policy that has historically lacked detailed tracking.

Congratulations to the Village of Glencoe on this important first step.

North Grenville, ON: Rural Public Transit Performance Measures

In June of 2025, the Province of Ontario announced nearly $15 million in new transit funding for rural communities, with North Grenville receiving more than $700,000. 

That money is being used to expand NGtransit’s on-demand system and launch a fixed-route connection between North Grenville and Ottawa. The new service begins in September, including a direct link to Ottawa’s Limebank LRT station.

For a rural municipality, this kind of transit expansion is major. Access to affordable, reliable transportation makes employment and education actually possible for residents who would otherwise be cut off from larger labor and housing markets. And local businesses benefit too —from easier access to customers and employees.

North Grenville Performance Dashboard

North Grenville has been publishing outcomes on their performance dashboards. They track trips, finances, and system use (check out those heat maps!)

Detailed public transit performance measures, such as heat maps of rider behavior, give leaders insight into how to plan and expand services. Publishing this data openly also demonstrates that provincial funding is monitored and that residents can hold leaders accountable.

We are loving the public transit theme here! While Oshkosh brings us an urban perspective, North Grenville brings us a rural one. 

Rural public transit reduces isolation and builds pockets of community along routes that otherwise go neglected. Rural communities deserve the investment; by tying every expansion to public transit performance measures, North Grenville is ensuring that growth is tracked, transparent, and accessible to all.

Welland, ON: Building a Livable City

Welland’s updated public dashboard tracks progress on four strategic pillars: Economic Growth, Environmental Stewardship, Health and Wellbeing, and Livability. Over the summer, the city advanced projects across all four areas, demonstrating how performance measurement strengthens its goal of building a livable city.

City of Welland Strategic Plan Dashboard

The City of Welland has embedded their public dashboard on their website!

On Environmental Stewardship, the city is implementing an inflow and infiltration program to reduce the burden on wastewater treatment facilities. Identifying and addressing issues now rather than later lowers long-term costs and limits environmental impact. 

On Livability, the city has drafted a neighborhood association policy, informed by direct consultation with existing groups. This policy provides structure for resident input and strengthens civic participation—core components of a livable city.

For Economic Growth, Welland has organized a workforce initiative called “Dress for Success,” scheduled for September. By working with employment agencies, community partners, and local businesses, the program supports job seekers with clothing, haircuts, and headshots—practical resources that reduce barriers to employment. 

And last but not least, for Health and Wellbeing, Welland has completed an arena feasibility study to guide investment in recreation facilities. Welland City Council now has data-driven options for repair or replacement, ensuring community spaces are aligned with resident needs.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate how Welland is aligning its strategic pillars with measurable results. Residents can see progress in multiple aspects of daily life; they get to see their city reinforce its commitment to building a livable city that balances growth with quality of life.

Performance Measurement Drives Results

The summer outcomes from Oshkosh, Glencoe, North Grenville, and Welland demonstrate that measurement is what turns plans into progress. Each community set goals, tracked progress, and reported results. The outcomes themselves vary, but the common thread is disciplined management supported by data.

Clear performance analytics and reporting holds leaders accountable and helps residents trust that their feedback is shaping real outcomes. Every completed milestone builds credibility and momentum. These organizations remind us that performance measurement proves that public commitments are being met, and that strategic planning delivers benefits people can see and experience.

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Mary King is a writer and researcher based in Toronto. Her writings and research on policy, local governance, and public space have been presented at conferences internationally. She has served as both a conference chair on professional and academic conferences across Canada on how to better bridge academic research with local change-agents, policy makers, and community members. Envisio’s mission of excellence and trust in the public sector maps onto Mary’s interest in local government and community mobilization.

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