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Agency report
Smart signals: an assessment of progress indicators

Extent: 58 p., 447K, PDF
Description: Critiques measures of economic progress and looks for alternative ways to more realistically gauge Minnesota’s well-being
Date: March 1, 2000
Subject(s): Environmental policy; Sustainable development
Contributor: Jay Stroebel
Publisher: Minnesota Planning (Agency).
Contact: Bob Patton, 651-201-6226; Supervisor, Energy and Environment Section


An Assessment of Progress Indicators critiques measures of economic progress and looks for alternative ways to more realistically gauge Minnesota's well-being. As a result this research, the Minnesota progress indicator was developed. The new indicator is based on the belief that Minnesota's economy can be healthy in the long run only if its environment and communities are healthy. The measures used in computing the progress indicator help determine if the economy is being improved at the expense of Minnesota's communities or environment. This study:

  • Reviews the literature on indicators
  • Tests and critiques application of the "genuine progress indicator" developed in 1995 by a California think tank to Minnesota
  • Identifies goals of a healthy Minnesota economy
  • Presents the Minnesota progress indicator and background information about its component measures

    • Alternative resource record formats: XML | MARC record (for inclusion in library catalogs)

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