The Commission will review, assess, rethink and make recommendations to Governor Herbert on how to improve Utah state government. Governor Herbert tasked the group with taking a “broad-based, independent look at current governmental processes and spending.” Commission members will be looking for ways to improve efficiency, enhance effectiveness and optimize performance. They will also identify areas where innovation and efficiency already exist, and explore ways to expand those measures. The Commission's work is voluntary, independent, and advisory.

The Commission was created by Governor Gary Herbert and announced September 3, 2009 to review state government and advise the administration where services could be made more efficient. The commission consists of former Governor Norman Bangerter (chair), former Olympic leader Fraser Bullock (vice-chair), former House Speaker Nolan Karras (vice-chair), former Gov. Mike Leavitt's chief of staff, Charlie Johnson (vice-chair), Pamela Atkinson, Neal Berube, Natalie Gochnour, Ellis Ivory, Gayle McKeachnie, Steve Starks, Lynne Ward, Ron Hawkins, Ellis Ivory, Steve Starks, and John Nixon. Ex Officio Members are Rep. Ron Bigelow, Sen. Dan Liljenquist, Rep. David Litvack, and Sen. Luz Robles. The commission's first report to the governor will be presented on August 19, 2010 with a final written analysis to be completed by November 2010.

The Commission is staffed by employee's of the Governor's Office. Since it was not created by the Utah Constitution, statute, administrative rule, or resolution, the Commission does not consider itself to be a "public body and therefor not subject to the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act.