Benefits of OMBI

OMBI is a partnership of municipalities all working together for a common purpose. The data, which is considered OMBI’s “bread and butter”, provides credible municipal data that measures and compares how efficiently and effectively services are delivered. The data acts as the catalyst or jump off point to identify areas where there may be an opportunity to improve services that could result in cost savings and efficiencies; and can help Councils and Staff make informed decisions and/or set policy based on service quality, quantity and cost.

Partnering with OMBI extends beyond the data and results. The opportunity to network, learn from and share knowledge with experts in 37 municipal service areas from 16 municipalities is where the true value lies. OMBI provides a venue to discuss, test processes, look for better and/or best practices, conduct research, work on case studies and answer business questions relevant to ‘emerging issues’. Collaboration is fundamental to the success of OMBI.

OMBI has an established and proven methodology, benchmarking framework and protocols for collecting and reporting information and the built in ‘peer review’ complements each municipality’s examination of their own internal performance.

OMBI recognizes there are several factors driving performance measurement such as:

• On‐going fiscal challenge to do more with less
• The need to align service requirements with budget priorities
• The overall movement of government ensuring service delivery, accountability and value for money
• Responding to citizens who today have much higher expectations about getting the ‘best bang for their buck’
• Requirement for Cities to document publicly on how well they are doing which builds credibility from a citizen perspective

OMBI supports a performance culture in our partner municipalities and continues to strengthen accountability and improve the feel of transparency in how services are provided and reported.