Metrics Implementation Methodology

The PureShare® methodology for developing proactive performance metrics solutions has been developed over years of experience working with clients in a wide range of industries. It is designed to facilitate the rapid deployment of effective metrics and metrics interfaces that engage end users in the performance measurement process. It is also geared toward obtaining immediate results while facilitating longer term metrics management and corporate performance management projects over time.

The basic workflow for a proactive metrics project is designed to align the business goals and needs to the technological requirements. This two-pronged approach is called “top-down design, bottom-up implementation,” as defined below. The process has been shown to de-risk these projects by involving end-users, obtaining buy in and speeding implementation. It includes these stages:

Planning and Design Stage Highlights

• Led by a business analyst
• Top-down design focused on the business and end-user requirements
• Establishes the main areas of focus for the users (referred to as key results areas (KRA)) and gathers key objectives or points of concern that are the drivers for the
  metrics interface
• Defines key performance indicators (KPI) for each KRA. KPIs are classified as “leading” or “lagging” indicators
• KPIs categorized as “Alerts”, “Monitor”, or “Results/Trends” to help identify how they will be used
• Models the metrics presentation hierarchy and draft dashboard layout. Designers understand what the end result should look like and key features that need to be incorporated.

System and Data Review Highlights

• Conducted simultaneously with Planning and Design
• Bottom-up implementation
• Conducts system and data source review
• Determines what data is available, how to access it, assess its quality, and develop metrics from it
• Analyzes data to better understand the data sources and develop recommendations and sample queries

Prototype Stage Highlights

• Top-down and bottom-up paths converge
• Prototype metrics interface is created as quickly as possible to provide a quick view of what the final result might look like
• Users are engaged for concrete feedback, buy-in and open discussion about practical implementation

Refinement Stage Highlights

• Conducts a series of prototype reviews
• Gathers feedback and makes necessary adjustments
• Ensures that the right information is used and the data is accurate
• Determines proper thresholds and targets
• Focuses the organization on driving positive behavior changes through the use of metrics
• Tailors the dashboard look-and-feel of how metrics are presented
• Incorporates security, usability, and integration considerations

Release Stage Highlights

• Issues communications introducing the metrics to all users
• Trains users as required
• Highlights the benefits of proactive metrics, uses of metrics interfaces, intended users
• Explains where the data comes from
• Defines what the targets and thresholds mean so that users can make the most productive use of the metrics and quickly assess the meaning of what is being displayed

Continuous Improvement

This methodology is ideally repeated for metrics projects in each area of the organization. Over time, some of the steps, such as data source reviews and data analysis may be shortened or eliminated if they are already complete. As the people engaged in the process become more familiar with metrics and dashboards, particular stages tend to accelerate and content becomes even richer. The methodology facilitates a cycle of continuous improvement as organizations adapt it to their environments and make it
their own.

For further details, please contact PureShare directly.