Indexing local governance performance in Tanzania. Unravelling the practical challenges of data, indicators and indexes

Abstract

Is it possible to create an index that tracks local governance performance, as a tool for civil society, citizens and central governments to  hold local government to account and improve local service delivery? For many researchers and practitioners working on improving local governance this would be desirable and useful. However, creating an index is a contested and complex process. Indicators of governance  and performance are approximations of the concepts they represent and can obscure nuanced understandings of the data  on which they are based, and the contexts in which they operate. This article presents action research on the creation of a local  governance performance index (LGPI) in Tanzania which deployed a context-based problem-solving approach. Itreflects on the necessary  trade-offs in index design in order to produce a tool that is locally meaningful, avoids gaming of indicators and could drive  processes leading to enhanced capability in local governance.