Successful Performance Management initiatives for both Government and Corporate sectors are characterized by an approach that:

• Eliminates old flawed key performance indicators and replaces them with ones with good integrity;
• Makes up-to-date performance information available in a timely manner – the more often you measure something, the better you can manage it;
• Includes performance metrics that can be tracked frequently (i.e., quarterly or monthly);
• Includes a simple scorecard architecture that can and will actually be implemented;
• Focuses on actual tracking of the new metrics rather than continually re-drawing the scorecard to try to make it perfect.

Additionally, this paper also examines some of the more common mistakes organizations make when designing and implementing a new performance measurement system including:

• Flawed Metrics;
• Overcomplicating the scorecard causing delays in its deployment and adoption;
• Failures that can be attributed to shortcuts, mistakes, and failing to listen to advisors who are experts in the implementation of these programs.