In this issue of New Directions for Institutional Research, the authors examine the international movement toward the development of performance indicator systems for accountability and improvement in higher education. The goal of this volume is threefold: to provide the reader with an understanding of what has led to the current popularity of indicator systems; to illustrate several possible methods for developing performance indicators; and to synthesize theory and practice into a formulation for a proactive, institution-based approach ot indicator development. This is the 82nd issue of the quarterly journal New Directions for Institutional Research. For more information on the series, please see the Journals and Periodicals page.

This book is about strategic performance management for the Twenty-First Century organization. In a practical step-by-step approach it navigates readers though the identification, measurement, and management of the strategic value drivers as enables of superior performance. Using many real life case examples this book outlines how organizations can visualize their value creation, design relevant and meaningful performance indicators to assess performance, and then use them to extract real management insights and improve everyday strategic decision making as well as organizational learning. A key focus of the book is the important issue of creating value from intangible assets. Much has been written about the importance of intangible assets such as knowledge, skills, relationships, culture, practices, routines, and intellectual property as levers for organisational success. However, little has been published that tells managers how to do that. This book moves beyond just raising awareness and provides practical tools and templates, gathered in many extensive case studies with world-leading organizations. The key issues the book addresses are: • How do we identify the strategic value drives, especially the intangibles, in our organisations? • How do we understand their strategic value using the powerful mapping tools? • How do we then measure the business performance? • How do we use performance indicators to improve decision making and organisational learning? • How do we align performance reviews and risk management with our strategy? Well grounded in theory and packed with case studies from around the world, this book will function as a guide for managers as well as a reference work for students and researchers. The tools described in this book are not only suitable for leading international corporations, but have been designed to be equally appropriate for not-for-profit organizations, central and local government institutions, small and medium sized businesses, and even departments and business units. The ideas, tools, and templates provided allow managers to apply them straight away and transform the way they manage strategic performance at all levels of their organization.

This book surveys the use of performance indicators of teaching, of reseach and of administration, and offers suggestions on how they might be developed and used.

The Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA) is described as a worldwide network of sensors, telecommunications, and personnel, with the supporting information exchanges, programs, and protocols that serve to detect, analyze, and report on nuclear and radiological materials that are out of regulatory control. The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), an office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), coordinates the development of the GNDA with its federal partners. Performance Metrics for the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture considers how to develop performance measures and quantitative metrics that can be used to evaluate the overall effectiveness and report on progress toward meeting the goals of the GNDA. According to this report, two critical components are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the GNDA: a new strategic plan with outcome-based metrics and an analysis framework to enable assessment of outcome-based metrics. The GNDA is a complex system of systems meant to deter and detect attempts to unlawfully transport radiological or nuclear material. The recommendations of Performance Metrics for the Performance Metrics for the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture may be used to improve the GNDA strategic plan and the reporting of progress toward meeting its goals during subsequent review cycles.

The effectiveness of a good strategy well implemented determines a business' future success or failure. Yet history is full of strategic decisions, big and small, that were ill-conceived, poorly organized and consequently disastrous. This updated guide looks at the whole process of strategic decision-making, from vision, forecasting, and resource allocation, through to implementation and innovation. Strategy is about understanding where you are now, where you are heading and how you will get there. There is no room for timidity or confusion. Although the CEO and the board decide a company's overall direction, it is the managers at all levels of the organization who will determine how the vision can be transformed into action. In short, everyone is involved in strategy. But getting it right involves difficult choices: which customers to target, what products to offer, and the best way to keep costs low and service high. And constantly changing business conditions inevitably bring risks. Even after business strategy has been developed, a company must remain nimble and alert to change, and view strategy as an ongoing and evolving process. The message of this guide is simple: strategy matters, and getting it right is fundamental to business success.

This nuts-and-bolts workbook is designed as a guide for members of strategic planning committees in higher education. The book is filled with information, tools, and visual material that complement the companion book Strategic Change in Colleges and Universities. This workbook offers a concise background to the strategic planning process and focuses on the ten critical steps of the process, from developing performance indicators through implementing, evaluating, and revising the strategic plan. Each section helps users work carefully and thoughtfully through the tasks of assembling, interpreting, and making decisions about critical information relating to the process.