This article discusses what PART is designed to do and how the PART
process works. Based on recent Government Accountability Office (GAO)
reports addressing implementation of PART in the last four fiscal years, the
article answers such questions as: Has PART made a difference in program
operations? What is the relationship between PART and GPRA? Has progress
been made in improving the evidence base for PART assessments? How well
does PART assess programs related to a common goal? What has been
congressional reaction to the PART process? Are PART and performance
budgeting making a difference in government?