Affiliations: Walcoff Technologies, Inc., Fairfax, VA 22033,
USA | School of Information Technology and Engineering,
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
Note: [] Correspondence to: Andrew P. Sage, School of Information
Technology and Engineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA,
E-mail: asage@gmu.edu
Abstract: Organizations can more readily monitor and reposition their
operations in fast-paced, competitive environments when their performance
measurement systems provide them with relevant, timely, complete, and accurate
information. Despite recognition of the need for such systems, much
organizational performance measurement guidance consists primarily of
descriptive approaches and anecdotes. There is a need for a
structured approach to documenting and analyzing organization-wide performance
measurement systems such as to address the organization, its environment, its
measures, and its measurement infrastructure as an integrated
whole. The purpose of this article is to describe a systems
management approach and an associated process that have been developed to
support the documentation and analysis of organization-wide performance
measurement systems. A decision support system, The Organizational
Performance Tracking & IMprovement Analysis System (OPTIMAS), was developed
to automate use of the process and facilitate the documentation, analysis,
evolution, and improvement of organizational performance measurement
systems. It is described in this article. The approach
and software emphasize identification of suppliers and customers, exogenous
influences on organizational performance, the performance information
infrastructure, and organizational components and processes. It
requires detailed specification of performance measures and their logistical
requirements. It supports analyses of individual metrics, sets of
metrics sets, and the information infrastructure required for successful
performance measurement. A case study illustrates use of the OPTIMAS
process.
