Key Performance Indicator Template
While numerous key performance indicators (KPIs) typically influence IT projects generally, the benefit of tracking all of them may be outweighed
by the cost to do so. Therefore, each project must carefully select and manage those KPIs most relevant to its specific situation.
This sample template can be used to define KPIs. A template for each different KPI and metric should be created and saved in a repository. This
will eliminate duplication of effort across projects when defining KPIs and metrics. For example, if Project A defines a KPI for “critical path
slippage,” Project B might use the same KPI or use its definition as a basis to develop a variation.
As a starting point, the table below the template gives some examples of possible KPIs for each of the previously defined project-critical success
factors (PCSFs) and a metric (measure and dimension) for each KPI, with the targets remaining to be defined.
Use in conjunction with the article Determining IT Project Health.
Project Critical Success Factor (PCSF):
Financial Status
Key Performance Indicator (KPI):
Funding Adequacy (Illustrative Example)
Target: Frequency of Cumulative (C)/
Measurement: Point-in-Time (P):
Metric:
Measure:
Dimension:
Level:
Funds Obligated
Percent of
Funding
Lifecycle
Project
Project Critical Success Factor (PCSF):
Regulatory Compliance
Key Performance Indicator (KPI):
Review Success (Illustrative Example)
Level:
Target: Frequency of
Cumulative (C)/
Measurement: Point-in-Time (P):
Solution
2 Monthly
C
Engineering
Planning
1 Monthly
C
Metric:
Measure:
Dimension:
Reviews Approved per
SLM Stage
Reviews Approved per
SLM Stage
Reviews Approved per
SLM Stage
Reviews Approved per
SLM Stage
Reviews Approved per
SLM Stage
Reviews Approved per
SLM Stage
Reviews Approved per
SLM Stage
Reviews Approved per
SLM Stage
Reviews Approved per
SLM Stage
Number of
Reviews
Number of
Reviews
Number of
Reviews
Number of
Reviews
Number of
Reviews
Number of
Reviews
Number of
Reviews
Number of
Reviews
Number of
Reviews
SLM Stage
SLM Stage
SLM Stage
100%
of
Budget
Quarterly
P
Red:
Yellow:
Green:
Source:
Existing (E)/
New (N):
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Red:
Yellow:
Green:
Source:
TBD
TBD
TBD
Schedule
TBD
TBD
TBD
Schedule
E
?
Existing (E)/
New (N):
E
1
Monthly
C
TBD
TBD
TBD
Schedule
E
SLM Stage
Requirements
Definition
Design
2
Monthly
C
TBD
TBD
TBD
Schedule
E
SLM Stage
Development
2
Monthly
C
TBD
TBD
TBD
Schedule
E
SLM Stage
Integration and
Test
Implementation
1
Monthly
C
TBD
TBD
TBD
Schedule
E
2
Monthly
C
TBD
TBD
TBD
Schedule
E
Operations and
Maintenance
Disposition
1
Monthly
C
TBD
TBD
TBD
Schedule
E
1
Monthly
C
TBD
TBD
TBD
Schedule
E
SLM Stage
SLM Stage
SLM Stage
Examples of Possible Key Performance Indicators
Metric
Target
Measure
Dimension
Project Critical Success Factor (PCSF): Financial Status
Cost overrun
Dollar amount of budgeted cost exceeded
Month
TBD
Funding adequacy
Percent of funds obligated
Project budget
TBD
Funds expended
Percent of funds expended
Project budget
TBD
Project Critical Success Factor (PCSF): Human Resources
IT support staff availability
Number of required staff unavailable
Month
TBD
Staff level
Percent of positions occupied
Authorized head count
TBD
Staff replacement
Average number of days to fill a vacant position
Project lifecycle
TBD
Staff turnover
Number of staff replacements
Project lifecycle
TBD
Project Critical Success Factor (PCSF): Quality Controls
Deliverables to end user
Percent of deliverables rejected
Month
TBD
Material and equipment delivered to the project
Percent of items received rejected
Month
TBD
Software delivered to the project
Percent of builds rejected
Month
TBD
Project lifecycle
TBD
Project Critical Success Factor (PCSF): Regulatory Compliance
Review success
Number of reviews disapproved
Project Critical Success Factor (PCSF): Schedule Status
Critical path slippage
Number of days end date slipped
Project lifecycle
TBD
IT facilities/environments availability
Number of days late
Project lifecycle
TBD
Late deliveries to project
Average number of days for late deliveries
Project lifecycle
TBD
Project Critical Success Factor (PCSF): Scope Delivery
Change requests approved
Number of approved change requests
Month
TBD
Customer acceptance of deliverables
Ratio of deliverables accepted to total deliverables
Month
TBD