Performance

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) creates and follows strategic plans. These ensure we effectively deliver our mission.

• The SBA Strategic Plan. This strategy document outlines our agency goals and objectives for this and upcoming years.
• The SBA Information Technology Strategic Plan. SBA is dedicated to optimizing and maintaining IT infrastructure. This plan guides the use of our IT resources to achieve SBA strategic goals.
• The DCOI Strategic Plan. This plan describes how SBA is implementing the Data Center Optimization Initiative (DCOI). This initiative was established in OMB Memorandum M-16-19.
• The SBA Final Plan for Retrospective Analysis of Existing Rules. This plan creates a method and schedule for identifying certain rules. This includes rules that are obsolete, unnecessary, unjustified, too burdensome, or counterproductive.
• Sustainability Report and Implementation Plan(Link is external). This is SBA's plan to execute its mission in a way that preserves the environment. It also shows our commitment to creating a clean energy economy.

SBA is committed to transparency. We publish documents that report on our financial and operational performance.

• Congressional Budget Justification and Annual Performance Report

These reports provide information about SBA’s mission and use of resources.

• Agency Financial Reports
• Summary of Performance and Financial Information
• Quarterly loan program performance
• Weekly lending reports

Program evaluation is a performance management tool. It helps programs identify how and why results are being achieved. Programs then use that evidence for continuous improvement. PEER features research conducted by SBA programs and others to:

• Help answer the question, “What works in small business assistance programs?”
• Make those answers broadly available to help evidence-based decisions. This includes its use by program managers, policymakers, researchers, and the public.

To submit your research, please email performance.management@sba.gov.

View a list of all SBA’s Program Evaluation and Evidence Registry (PEER) reports.

SBA recognizes the importance of evidence and evaluation to our programs and operations. Rigorous evidence helps us understand and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of both.

This helps our leadership make sound decisions about our programs, policies, and resources. 

As part of our FY 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, SBA created an Enterprise Learning Agenda (ELA). The ELA includes a set of key research and evaluation questions for each strategic goal. 

The ELA was developed in partnership with each program office. It identifies areas where evaluation would provide insights about:

• Program effectiveness
• Progress toward outcomes
• Test pilot initiatives

Related SBA documents:

• Annual Evaluation Plan
• Evidence Capacity Assessment

SBA also has a Framework and Guidelines for Program Evaluation. This document outlines the steps for evidence-based decision-making and performance improvement. It also provides technical direction and best practices for teams undertaking evaluation work.