Organization reform is by itself a tough administrative task. State reform can be even harder. Nevertheless, it can be less difficult if the government is able to establish strategies to remodel the public administration apparatus and to negotiate with the Legislative. This article argues that the state reform in Minas Gerais was enabled by the development of strategic planning and by the implementation of a public management by results policy - result agreement. This article also demonstrates that even when state reform takes place in a context in which the state has a bigger regulatory role and a smaller provider role it is possible to increase accountability and responsiveness and to strengthen civil society.
strategic planning; public management by results; administrative reform.
