There’s a long-standing philosophy stating that you cannot improve what you cannot measure. Although everyone has unique ideas of how to improve things, it's difficult to "sell" the changes to management without more than your gut feeling. Significant change, especially regarding funding and staff resources, won't come about without a plan to measure and demonstrate results.
That’s where Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) come in. By measuring current performance, you can show quantifiable data proving that changes are necessary; you can then propose your thoughts for improvement. As your changes take place, you should continue to measure them, this time to indicate that the changes are positively affecting individual performance, business processes, company sales goals, financial aspects, etc.
KPIs present the facts behind objectives such as:
KPIs must be objective – versus subjective – and should align with your business's goals and vision. Management should approve them, and metrics for measurements to prove success should be agreed upon before implementing changes. You can create KPIs for the business as a whole, for a department or team, or even for an individual.
The most critical factor is relevancy. If your KPIs aren't relevant to your business, you will be wasting valuable time and productivity tracking irrelevant information.
Finally, don't forget to revisit the KPIs, as tracking changes and improvement should be an ongoing project. KPIs can also become obsolete, and upon review can be discontinued and your focus moved to a different area.
Our team at Southeast Computer Solutions can help you establish KPIs that are meaningful to your business. We have provided solutions for clients in many different industries to enhance business performance, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. Contact us to learn more about what we can offer you.
About Southeast Computer Solutions
Southeast Computer Solutions is based in Miami, Florida, and has additional operations in Mexico. For over 30 years, we have positively impacted the success of small and mid-sized businesses with effective business management implementations that improve our clients’ operations. We listen, we are accessible, and we care. Learn more by visiting our website or calling 305-556-4697.