Agency performance planning looks at the agency mission (the purpose or why the agency exists) and defines the operations (core functions and key services, products and/or activities) that are in place to achieve that mission. An effective performance plan identifies measures for each core function and for key services, products and/or activities and monitors how well the agency achieves performance targets. In essence, a performance plan is a snapshot of what the agency does and how well it does it. The plan also helps to pinpoint improvement opportunities and implement strategies to achieve better results. This guidebook is a resource for state agencies on how to build a performance plan.