KPIs are necessary to measure an organization’s performance. They allow to measure the effectiveness and productivity of the actions through the appropriate indicators.
There are different categories of KPIs, such as knowing if they are internal or external, if they are quantitative or qualitative and if they measure a long-term or short-term action.
I show you different examples of KPIs in sales, finance, human resources, among other fields. Best practices for setting goals and the help provided by Business Intelligence or BI will also be shown.
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KPIs or Key Performance Indicators are metrics that measure the effectiveness and productivity of a company. They are useful tools to determine if an organization is meeting its objective and to measure the performance of people, processes and products. In addition, KPIs can be customized for the specific needs of each organization.
In general, KPIs are a widely used tool in business management.
There are different KPI categories, each measuring different aspects of business performance. Here we leave the types of KPIs:
External KPIs are metrics that measure a company’s performance relative to the market and competition. Internal KPIs, on the other hand, measure the performance of internal processes and personnel.
Quantitative KPIs measure aspects measured in numbers, while qualitative KPIs measure more subjective aspects. Quantitative KPIs may be easier to measure, but qualitative KPIs can provide a deeper understanding of a company’s performance.
Short-term KPIs measure a company’s short-term performance, usually within a year or less. Long-term KPIs measure a company’s long-term performance, usually over three to five years.
Importantly, KPIs are in the metrics category, but not all metrics are KPIs. The main difference between these two measurement categories is that KPIs are critical metrics that help companies maintain optimal performance and meet their end goals.
On the other hand, metrics are a broader category of measurement that includes any type of measurement, whether important or not to the organization.
KPIs can be used in different areas to measure and monitor a company’s performance. Here are some examples in the areas of sales and marketing, finance and human resources, as well as some additional types of KPIs.
For sales and marketing, KPIs are especially important for measuring the success of promotional strategies and campaigns. Some examples of KPIs that can be used here are:
In financial management, KPIs allow the company to measure the success of its strategy and monitor its profitability. Some examples of financial KPIs are:
Human resource KPIs are used to measure the company’s human resource management performance. Some examples are:
In addition to the KPIs mentioned above, there are other indicators that can be used to measure the performance of different areas of the company. Some of them are:
KPIs are a key tool to measure the performance and effectiveness of an organization, but to be really useful it is necessary to establish them properly.
Here are a few best practices for establishing the right KPIs:
Before selecting KPIs, it is important to be clear about the company’s strategy and objectives should be set in line with that strategy. Objectives must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely.
There must be a clear and direct relationship between objectives and the measurement of KPIs. This ensures that the factors that are really important to the company are being measured.
It is important to measure the right number of KPIs, as measuring too many KPIs can be counterproductive. Too many KPIs can generate redundant information and dilute the team’s attention on truly strategic objectives.
It is advisable to select those KPIs that really add value and allow monitoring progress in line with the business strategy.
It is vital to have relevant and accurate data sources to ensure the correct measurement of KPIs. Sources should be accessible, relevant and updated frequently.
It’s also important to make sure the data is reliable and consistent to get proper analysis and make informed decisions.
There are a variety of KPIs that can be used in different business areas. Some example KPIs from sales and marketing, finance and human resources were mentioned in the previous section.
It is important to select those KPIs that are relevant to the company’s strategy and objectives.
It is advisable to have a platform that allows real-time measurement of KPIs, allowing you to get an up-to-date view of how you are progressing and make informed decisions.
There are many solutions on the market, so it is important to select the one that best suits your business needs.
Setting the right goals and aligning them with KPIs requires some best practices. These practices include having SMART objectives (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely), involving different stakeholders in the process and being agile in setting objectives and KPIs according to the needs of the company.
Business Intelligence (BI) solutions can be of great help in establishing the right KPIs. These solutions enable the identification of patterns and trends in business data, helping to make informed decisions and establish the right KPIs.
To improve decision-making through KPIs, it is essential to have a data-oriented business culture. Business leaders must rely on KPIs as a key tool for measuring progress, analyzing data, and making informed decisions.
The frequent review and analysis of KPIs also helps in improving decision-making, allowing strategic adjustments and changes in line with the evolution of the company.
