Management Accountability Framework - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Management Accountability Framework?
2. How is the Framework used to improve management?
3. Who uses the Framework and how?
4. What is the purpose of the MAF Assessments?
5. How do the MAF and MAF Assessments improve accountability?
6. Will progress on the government-wide implementation of the Management Accountability Framework be reported to Parliament?

1. What is the Management Accountability Framework?

The Management Accountability Framework sets out the Treasury Board's expectations of senior public service managers for good public service management. The MAF is structured around 10 key elements that collectively define "management" and establish the expectations for good management of a department or agency.

2. How is the Framework used to improve management?

Public service managers and deputy ministers use the framework in a number of ways to improve public service management:

• The Framework provides public service managers with a comprehensive and integrated model for management and for management improvement;
• The Framework helps managers, deputy heads, and central agencies to assess progress and to strengthen accountability for management results.

3. Who uses the Framework and how??

The MAF was developed to help deputy heads understand the vision behind many different management initiatives and provide them with the tools to identify management priorities and challenge their managers and employees to meet the expectations set out in the Framework.

Deputy heads and senior managers are encouraged to ensure that the ten elements of the Framework are in place and working well together. These ten elements are the cornerstones of good organizational management.

The Treasury Board Portfolio is using the MAF to assess federal departments' and agencies' management performance. Organizations use the feedback provided to better understand where they are successful and identify opportunities for improvement.

4. What is the purpose of the MAF Assessments and how are the results used?

The assessments are used to measure the management performance of government organizations and to help deputy ministers identify management priorities and challenge their managers and employees to meet the expectations set out in the Management Accountability Framework.

5. How will the Treasury Board of Canada Portfolio use the Management Accountability Framework?

The Framework will be used initially in two ways:

• First, MAF provides a vision of excellence in management that is the basis for initiatives to improve performance launched at all levels of the government.
• Second, it is a basis for dialogue between Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS)/Public Service Human Resources of Canada (PSHRMAC) and deputy heads on the state of management practices in their organizations and on priorities for management improvement.

6. Will progress on the government-wide implementation of the Management Accountability Framework be reported to Parliament?

One of the ways departments and agencies use the results of assessments to report to Parliament on management plans and performance in their annual Report on Plans and Priorities. These reports provide members of Parliament with better information on management priorities for each department and agency.