Performance measures and learning LO12083

Ethan J. Mings (thedesk@idirect.com)
Mon, 20 Jan 1997 06:36:11 -0005

Replying to LO12065 --

On 19 Jan 97 at 10:26, JC Howell wrote:

> There is a BIG difference between performance indicators, performance
> measures, and activity measures. I have often seen this diffeence ignored
> and the three mixed liberally.

Measurment is a challenge for organizations.

I think of indicators as an *objective pointers* to a desired level of
performance. When the indicator points one to poor performance, one
should know the underlying system which is generating the poor
performance. Each underlying system should have the necessary performance
measures to understand how the system is performaning at any given time.

It is the linkage between establishing indicators and connecting them to
key systems which I find challanging. Its an important process which is
often missed.

Finally, the biggest challenge is understanding one needs a few solid
indicators instead of many.

Cheers,

Ethan J. Mings
Write to me at "thedesk@idirect.com" or visit our WWW Page at
"http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ethan_mings/emingsh.htm"
"Where organizational economics is about life, not theory"

-- 

"Ethan J. Mings" <thedesk@idirect.com>

Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>