Quantitative measures of the performance of, generally, an institution, defined in terms of targets to be achieved.

Measures designed to show the degree to which key processes achieve a desired level of performance. They convey judgements about the adequacy of objectives or the quality of processes and provide accountability. For museums, current performance indicators include Registration status and grading in the Visitor Attraction Grading Scheme. SMC policy is that Registration should be extended to cover assessment of, for example, learning and access.

Data-based measurements that indicate progress toward achieving outcomes. (See Outcomes.)

Measurable numerical indicators of performance set by the Government, the Audit Commission or local authorities themselves are ways to measure or assess specific aspects of what an organisation is doing. They are agreed criteria against which the quantity or quality of a service can be assessed and are most often used in the monitoring and evaluation process. They provide a way of measuring how well an organisation is 'performing' so that it can be compared with other or with past achievements. Performance indicators often became tied up with targets. They are a key part of assessing Best Value and already used by many local authority funders.

statements against which the performance of an organisation or system is assessed.

measure the improvements in throughputs, outputs and outcomes.

A concise list of indicators, which are used to measure agency effectiveness in achieving the Government's outcomes.

a component of Learning Results which defines the stages of achievement towards meeting the content standard for each of the four grade spans.

Qualitative and quantitative factors of an output which provide a framework for assessing performance where direct causal links are not obvious and changes in performance are difficult to measure directly. Performance indicators are published in the Portfolio Budget Statement.

Measures of change in the health status of populations and in service delivery and clinical practice, collected in order to monitor and improve clinical, social, vocational, and economic outcomes.

(See Indicators and ystem Performance Report Indicators)

Sample data related to service delivery, such as number of employees, length of streets or total tonnes of waste collected that can be used as a measure of the efficiency or effectiveness of a waste management initiative.

Quantified measures of progress on a particular issue. Performance indicators can be used to measure environmental impacts. The BBC's Environment Unit developed 12 headline performance indicators to help understand and communicate priority actions across the BBC.

Indicators are tools that measure, simplify and communicate important issues, trends and standards of performance. They provide a benchmark against which progress can be measured year on year and provide comparisons between organisations. They usually measure cost, economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

Representations (usually numeric) of the state of, or outcome from, an education organization, its programs, or processes. Sometimes called "management indicators." Regarded as a set of tangible measures designed to provide public accountability. Often includes admission and graduate data, research records, employment of graduates, cost per student, student/staff ratios, staff workloads, student relevance, class size, laboratory and other equipment, equity, libraries, information technology, and other learning resources. Should be subject to informed interpretation and judgment.

measures for assessing the quantitative performance of a system.

Statistical measurement of care e.g. Length of patient stay in hospital by speciality

Measures used to rate the performance of a health plan or its providers, including mortality rates, costs, rates of specific procedures, rates of hospitalization for preventable diseases or patient satisfaction.

Well-defined qualitative or quantitative measures that show how well an organisation or project is performing. For example, outcome indicators are used to assess whether expected outcomes have occurred. Output indicators are used to assess whether outputs have been delivered.

A measure that shows the degree to which key processes achieve a desired level of performance for the educational system. Performance indicators convey judgments about the adequacy of educational objectives or the quality of educational processes. Performance indicator systems monitor progress in achieving program goals and contribute to improvements by assessing implementation in terms of achieving desired objectives of the critical program processes.

Clearly defined and measurable markers that that assist in assessing and tracking quality.