KPIs and motivation for public service

The use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to evaluate public officials and civil servants represents a new step toward improving public administration effectiveness and enhancing transparency, accountability, and fairness.  

The use of KPIs in civil service evaluations was officially introduced under the revised Law on Cadres and Civil Servants (2025) and has been implemented since January 1, 2026. The KPI framework announced by the Central Policy and Strategy Commission establishes transparent criteria for measuring the work performance of both individuals and agencies. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also required local authorities to develop KPI systems tailored to their specific conditions.

Tuyen Quang Province has issued directives to develop and apply KPIs in assessing public officials and civil servants in order to address the long-standing problem of subjective year-end evaluations. Under the new approach, civil servants are evaluated periodically - monthly or quarterly - using specific scoring formulas. The KPI system is also linked to administrative reform and public satisfaction with government services.

KPIs help quantify work outcomes, reduce formalistic evaluations, and enhance transparency, thereby creating stronger motivation for public servants to contribute. Officials and civil servants are assessed based on clear and publicly defined criteria, helping to prevent uniform or overly lenient assessments driven by personal considerations. More importantly, KPIs provide concrete goals that encourage greater dedication and professional commitment.

Aligned with modern governance practices, KPIs also enable leaders to closely monitor progress and the quality of work. The adoption of KPIs in evaluating public officials and civil servants reflects a sound policy direction set by the central government and institutionalized in the amended 2025 law. Ultimately, KPIs serve as an effective tool to improve the quality of the civil service and meet the growing demands of public service in a new development phase.

Nguyet Hang