Gestão Pública. Introdução. Aula 01.

Summary

In this first lesson of a public management course, Professor Wilson Santos introduces essential concepts like efficiency, efficacy, and effectiveness in public administration. He explains the differences between using resources optimally, achieving goals, and combining both for impactful public service. The lecture also contrasts the public and private sectors, discussing the welfare state and minimal state models, with real-world examples. The importance of long-term strategic planning in public management is emphasized, along with the need for tactical and operational planning to ensure effectiveness. The session serves as a foundation for students studying public administration or preparing for civil service exams.

Takeaways

• 😀 Public management involves making decisions to improve the quality of life for society.
• 😀 Efficiency refers to using available resources optimally to achieve a goal, even if the outcome isn't perfect.
• 😀 Effectiveness is about achieving a goal, regardless of resource usage efficiency.
• 😀 The combination of efficiency and effectiveness results in impact, which is the ultimate goal in public management.
• 😀 Public sector focuses on social welfare and the common good, unlike private companies that aim for profit.
• 😀 The concept of welfare state involves high taxes and extensive public services, as seen in countries like Canada.
• 😀 A minimal state involves low taxes and fewer public services, as seen in countries like the U.S.
• 😀 Brazil, according to its 1988 Constitution, is considered a welfare state, aiming for universal education and healthcare.
• 😀 Strategic planning in public management is long-term and aims for societal well-being, while operational planning is short-term and focuses on day-to-day efficiency.
• 😀 Public management involves understanding and addressing social, economic, and cultural factors that impact various services like healthcare and education.
• 😀 Key public planning instruments include the PPA (Strategic Planning), LB (Budget Law), and LOA (Annual Budget Law), with operational planning being less legally defined but still crucial.

Q & A

What is the definition of management in public administration?

Management refers to the technical skill or art of making decisions. In public administration, it involves leading decisions aimed at improving the quality of life for the population, ensuring the achievement of specific goals and results.

What is the difference between efficiency and effectiveness in public management?

Efficiency is the optimal use of available resources to achieve a goal, while effectiveness refers to actually achieving the set goal, regardless of the resources used. A goal is considered effective if it is reached, even if not efficiently.

Can you give an example of efficiency versus effectiveness using the example of public works?

If a public project, like building a park, is completed within a set budget but exceeds the timeline or resources allocated, it is effective (because the park was built), but not efficient (due to resource misuse). Conversely, if the project is completed on time and within budget but with fewer resources than planned, it is efficient, but might not be effective if the desired outcome isn’t fully achieved.

What are the three key concepts mentioned in the lecture that are important for public management?

The three key concepts are efficiency (optimal use of resources), effectiveness (achieving set goals), and impact (combining both efficiency and effectiveness to achieve results).

What is the primary goal of the public sector as opposed to the private sector?

The primary goal of the public sector is the welfare of society, focusing on delivering public services that benefit the community, while the private sector aims to generate profit.

What is the difference between a welfare state and a minimal state?

A welfare state is characterized by high taxes but provides extensive public services such as healthcare and education (e.g., Canada). A minimal state has lower taxes but offers fewer public services, with more reliance on private sectors for essential services (e.g., the USA).

How does Brazil’s constitution reflect a welfare state model?

Brazil's 1988 constitution aligns with the welfare state model, aiming to provide universal public services such as education and healthcare. However, the quality of these services often comes into question despite the high tax rates.

What role does strategic planning play in public management?

Strategic planning is crucial in public management as it focuses on long-term goals and outcomes, guiding the direction of public policies and services. It helps create a roadmap for achieving societal well-being over extended periods, such as 20 or 100 years.

What is the significance of tactical and operational planning in public administration?

Tactical planning addresses medium-term goals and involves more specific and detailed planning than strategic planning. Operational planning focuses on day-to-day actions, ensuring the execution of tactical plans and the efficient use of resources in achieving set goals.

What are some key planning instruments used in public management, and how do they relate to each other?

Key planning instruments include the PPA (Pluriannual Plan), LOA (Budgetary Law), and LDO (Guidelines for the Budget). The PPA is a long-term planning tool that guides strategic goals, while the LOA and LDO focus on more immediate, tactical, and operational budgeting and goals.