Everyone in business wants to improve their performance. But how to choose between the bewildering number of ways in which success is measured? Do you choose cash flow, added value, operating ratios? - and what kind of profit measure suits your business? This book provides you with an easy-to-follow guide covering over 50 different measurements. It explains each measure's uses and describes the situations for which it is best suited, giving you the snags and merits.

Everyone in business wants to improve their performance. But how to choose between the bewildering number of ways in which success is measured? Do you choose cash flow, added value, operating ratios? - and what kind of profit measure suits your business? This book provides you with an easy-to-follow guide covering over 50 different measurements. It explains each measure's uses and describes the situations for which it is best suited, giving you the snags and merits.

This is the digital version of the printed book (Copyright © 1996). Based on an award-winning doctoral thesis at Carnegie Mellon University, Measuring and Managing Performance in Organizations presents a captivating analysis of the perils of performance measurement systems. In the book’s foreword, Peopleware authors Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister rave, “We believe this is a book that needs to be on the desk of just about anyone who manages anything.” Because people often react with unanticipated sophistication when they are being measured, measurement-based management systems can become dysfunctional, interfering with achievement of intended results. Fortunately, as the author shows, measurement dysfunction follows a pattern that can be identified and avoided. The author’s findings are bolstered by interviews with eight recognized experts in the use of measurement to manage computer software development: David N. Card, of Software Productivity Solutions; Tom DeMarco, of the Atlantic Systems Guild; Capers Jones, of Software Productivity Research; John Musa, of AT&T Bell Laboratories; Daniel J. Paulish, of Siemens Corporate Research; Lawrence H. Putnam, of Quantitative Software Management; E. O. Tilford, Sr., of Fissure; plus the anonymous Expert X. A practical model for analyzing measurement projects solidifies the text–don’t start without it!

Sets out the fundamental techniques used in analyzing and understanding the performance of computer systems.

Essential strategies from Harold Kerzner on measuring project management performance The maze-like path of today's projects reflects a business environment that's growing in complexity. Factors influencing projects, such as new advancements in computer technology, an unpredictable economy, and the increase in stakeholder involvement make metrics and key performance indicators (KPI) for project management an important focus. Such measures are commonly used to help an organization define and evaluate how successful it is, typically, in terms of making progress towards its long-term organizational goals. Project Management Metrics, KPIs, and Dashboards helps functional managers gain a thorough understanding of what metrics are and how they can be best implemented to gain traction in a fast-paced and diverse working atmosphere. With content aligned with PMI's PMBOK® Guide, this book offers extensive coverage on KPIs and how they may be monitored, using techniques such as business dashboards to assist in prescribing meaningful business strategies. After reading this book, functional managers will bolster their awareness of what good metrics management really entails—and be armed with the knowledge to measure performance more effectively. This book begins with basic KPI principles, helping functional managers deal with such key issues as: Successfully integrating KPIs and metrics into managing a project within a business strategy Important business dashboard techniques used in monitoring performance What is really important to different stakeholders in a project Managing resistance to change Next the book explores the key questions to ask before implementing a dashboard or reporting system. Some of these questions include: What are your needs? What is involved in integration? What's involved in operations and maintenance? What does the system cost? How long will the system last? Throughout the book, helpful illustrations clarify complex concepts and processes. These illustrations are also available as PowerPoint slides for course and seminar presentations.