With the help of this powerpoint presentation, at the Workshop on Governance Assessment Methods and Applications of Governance Data in Policy-Making (June 2009), Ken Mease argued that governance assessments can be 1) a reporting tool that can track and communicate progress towards goals and/or outcomes; 2) a policy tool that can guide evidence-based planning and action to address issues identified as important by citizens and in existing political commitments, and finally 3) a tool that can strengthen democracy by engaging stakeholders through informed discussions.