You have been given the task of managing a group, project, or likely both. You start off by trying to control everything under the sun. This can range from who is in attendance to the order status of needed items. Time and time again, I would fall for the same trap of trying to control everything. I would find myself running around while at the same time, getting nothing done. This was day in and day out, and frustrating to say the least.
So, what do you do in this case? The need for a simpler approach was screaming to be found. As a result, the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) dashboard was brought into play. Any good leader has their specific KPIs that they check on a regular basis. These points can differ from job to job, but the overall tool is the same.
Let’s see it in practice. If you are a Production Manager, then your KPIs may be cost, output, and future projections of both cost and output. Your next level, perhaps a Supervisor, would have KPIs that support the Area Manager’s while still aligning with the Supervisor’s position. The Supervisor’s KPIs could then be process specific run rates. A process specific run rate is the output of a specific process against the time to accomplish such output. Another KPI would be staffing utilization. This directly impacts the cost and the output depending on the efficiency of your staffing. Let’s go even further. Consider a Coordinator or Process/Line Lead in the same hierarchy. Their KPIs should then support the Supervisor’s. These could also be process run rate and staffing utilization, but only on a single process.
With each level having their dashboard, now what? Instead of the ever-so-hungry trap of trying to control everything, each level can have a simple set of KPIs. This is not with the intent of repetition. As the Supervisor is tracking the status of multiple rooms and the Line Leads are tracking the status of a single room. In a nutshell, if A, B, and C are within my required range, then we will be successful by X time. That formula is then determined and utilized on each level. Ultimately, keep your focus simple. Next time you check in with your team, touch base on A, B, and C. After that, move on to other activities that you should be completing and let them complete their activities to support their KPIs.
What KPIs are on your dashboard? Share below in the comments section to benefit you as well as the Sigmasmith community.
Thanks for reading.
Rick V.
Sigmasmith