ABSTRACT
One of the greatest benefits of system maps is the need to define requirements both for principal activity groups and for any of the influencing factors that are deemed important to best outcomes. The definition of such requirements allows leaders to obtain feedback in the form of metrics and indicators and to use that information to understand its current capability and to chart future improvements. Metrics are defined as numeric values that express performance levels comparatively and relative to a scale of possible performance. While metrics are important, in the context of system mapping they should be used simply to learn current performance and to test the impact of changes designed to improve performance. Metrics on overall strategic planning outcomes may be harder to achieve and less attributable to specific causation, since organizational success may be due only in part to the strategic plan. Risks will be disruptive events and unexpected or unplanned circumstances to which the system must respond.
