Using KPI’s to drive Peak Performance with Stacey Barr – The Performance Measure Specialist

In this episode of Pushing Beyond the Obvious, we host Stacey Barr – The Performance Measure Specialist. Stacey is a specialist in strategic performance measurement and evidence-based leadership. She specialises in using practical performance measurement as the catalyst for creating a high-performance culture that achieves measurable success.

She is also the creator of the PuMP® methodology. PuMP® is a performance measurement methodology that routinely transforms measurement cynics into its greatest advocates, which has been adopted in more than 90 countries and across industries.

In this wide ranging conversation, we cover: 

1. What is the definition of a KPI and what are the key attributes of a good KPI? 

According to her, the definition of a KPI is “A quantification that gives us objective evidence of the degree to which a performance results is occurring over time.”

2. The difference between Leading measures and lagging measures. 

3. What is the true purpose of defining KPI?

4. What is the difference between good KPI’s and bad KPI’s?

5. What is the importance of ownership in the impact that a KPI can create?

6. How to display and interpret any KPI and the importance of understanding variability? What is an X-mR chart and its relevance to measuring performance?

7. We also talk about the PuMP® methodology that she created (which is an 8 step process) and why this is such a beautiful way to think about KPI’s (not to judge the performance of people but to improve the business process).

Join her next PuMP Blueprint workshop:

In conclusion, I would say that while all of us use KPI’s almost every day, a lot of these KPI’s are not designed really well and not a lot of us use KPI’s in the way that can help businesses improve their efficiencies and the effectiveness of the business process.

The PuMP methodology when used right, helps us be mindful and intentional about how do we define, measure and analyse the KPI’s to move our businesses get better. If you liked what you heard, I would really recommend that you join her next PuMP Blueprint workshop. You can do so here.

You can also find more about Stacey and the work that she does here.