Performance indicators of an information system

Building and reading an IT department's indicators: what makes a good indicator, the balanced scorecard, usual measures (availability, time to restore, service commitments) and perverse effects.

  • 27 cards
  • 5 topics
  • Free

The outline, topic by topic

Each topic is weighted the way the exam weighs it.

  1. Concepts
  2. Questions
  3. Sort and link
  4. The numbers
  5. Scenarios

A few cards from the deck

  • Key performance indicator: what is it?

    Show the answer

    A figure tracked over time that tells whether an activity is reaching a set objective.

    It is compared with a target: “94 % of tickets solved within 8 h” only means something against an objective of 95 %. It differs from raw data by its link to an objective.

  • Which of these objectives is best worded as an indicator?

    • Solve 95 % of priority 2 tickets within 8 working hours by June
    • Clearly improve user satisfaction
    • Make support more responsive and more pleasant
    • Cut incidents as far as possible over the year
    Show the answer

    Solve 95 % of priority 2 tickets within 8 working hours by June

    It is specific (priority 2), measurable (95 %), bounded (8 working hours) and dated (June). The others have no threshold or deadline: you could never say whether they are met.

  • The four axes of the balanced scorecard are: finance, customers, … and ….

    Show the answer

    The four axes of the balanced scorecard are: finance, customers, internal processes and learning.

    The first two look at the result expected; the other two look at what prepares it, hence “balanced” between outcomes and drivers.

  • SMART indicator: what is it?

    Show the answer

    An indicator that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

    “Improve the service” is not measurable; “raise email availability to 99.9 % by December” is. These five criteria prevent vague objectives.