Performance measurement system design: testing a process approach in manufacturing companies

This paper describes the testing of a management process for the design and development of performance measurement systems in seven small and medium sized manufacturing companies. The paper outlines and develops the criteria used for evaluating the process and describes the methodology applied in seven action research cases, where academic researchers facilitated the senior management teams of the participating companies through the process to develop their performance measurement system. The research findings support the view that the process is robust and can be used by a variety of facilitators at different facilitation skill levels. The paper concludes by highlighting the need for further research into the implementation of performance measures developed by such a process.