The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was a dramatic action designed to quickly stimulate an economic recovery in the United States. From 2009 to 2014, billions of dollars will be spent on programs in areas such as education, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, sustainable energy, and public assistance.

ARRA also marks the start of a new era in the regulation, oversight, and accountability of the use of public funds. Agencies at all levels of government will be challenged to maintain their focus on developing programs that achieve long-term results for constituents while ensuring that these programs adhere to the complex requirements for stimulus funds.

This SAP Executive Insight examines some of the major challenges agencies face with respect to this stimulus plan. Further, by answering the following questions, it describes how governments can transform their organization to devote more resources to achieving program goals and less on administrative overhead.

• How can my agency measure performance and report outcomes associated with ARRA funds?
• How can I ensure the required levels of transparency and accountability?
• How can I effectively manage project resources and fulfill the program requirements of stimulus-based initiatives?