ABSTRACT
Performance Management is a continuous process and one in which new performance indicators must be acquired, designed, or otherwise introduced to improve the process until the desired performance level in a particular area is achieved. The first step in the Performance Management cycle proper, self-assessment is virtually identical to the commitment phase. The major difference is that deciding whether to commit to an initiative is a one-time decision; self-assessment is revisited repeatedly. The next stage is to identify areas for improvement and establish the requirements that will drive Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and benchmark definitions. This stage of the cycle involves identifying sources of KPIs and benchmarks, assessing KPI and benchmark applicability to the organization, and assigning KPI ownership. Note that implementation at this point in the cycle refers to measurement capabilities, not to the later action phase, based on the analysis of KPI values.
