Performance Measurement and Performance Management

Mathematical physicist and engineer Lord Kelvin introduced the notion of “an absolute zero” corresponding to the absolute absence of thermal agitation. The Kelvin scale, named after him, is the scale of the base unit of temperature measurement used in the International System of Units. He has not only impacted the field of thermodynamics but also influenced investigation. “If you can not measure it, you can not improve it”. This quote by Lord Kelvin highlights the importance of measurement.

Measurement in management is essential for continuous improvement. Despite the importance of measurement, taking measurements in project management is not as frequent as it should be. A project can be interpreted from different angles, which leads to the importance of the project manager. It comes to the project manager to set goals, make decisions, stablish the key indicators and parameters to control and monitor the progress of a particular project. Performance measurements must be defined to monitor and, therefore, manage projects to thrive in an organizational context.