A Performance Audit
An Audit Report on The Performance Measures at the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs
August 2021
Summary Analysis
The Office of Capital and Forensic Writs (Office) did not have adequate controls in place over the collection, calculation, and reporting of the performance measures.
As a result, the Office reported unreliable results into the Automated Budget and Evaluation system of Texas (ABEST) for three of its five key performance measures for fiscal year 2020. The Office reported reliable results for the remaining two key performance measures in fiscal year 2020.
The Office did not have adequate controls over performance measures audited. Specifically, the Office did not have adequate controls in the following areas:
- Written Policies and Procedures. The Office did not have documented policies and procedures describing the collection, calculation, and reporting of performance measure results.
- Collection and Review of Performance Measure Calculations. The Office did not document its collection and calculation of performance measure results. In addition, while the Office reviewed the data entry of results into the Automated Budget and Evaluation System of Texas (ABEST), it did not perform documented independent reviews of its calculations of performance measure results prior to entering those results into ABEST.
- Reporting of Quality Performance Results. The Office did not have a process in place to report output measures quarterly as required.
The Office reported unreliable results for three of its five key performance measure for fiscal year 2020: the Number of Writ Apps for Which Hearings are Granted by Trial Court; the Number of Writ Applications Filed; and the Number of New Cases Accepted.
- Number of Writ Apps for Which Hearings are Granted by Trial Court: The Office reported inaccurate results for fiscal year 2020. The Office’s methodology for calculating this performance measure was not consistent with ABEST, causing an error rate greater than 5 percent.
- Number of Writ Applications Filed and Number of New Cases Accepted: The Office reported inaccurate results for fiscal year 2020. The Office reported that five writ applications were filed and five new cases were accepted. However, six applications were filed and six new cases were accepted, causing an error rate greater than 5 percent.
The Office reported reliable results for two of its five key performance measures for fiscal year 2020. Those two measures were certified with qualification. Although the reported results for those two measures were accurate, the Office’s controls were not adequate to ensure continued accuracy.
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