Activity Performance Measurement
Assessing how well activities (and processes) are performed is fundamental to management’s efforts to improve profitability. Activity performance measures exist in both financial and nonfinancial forms. These measures are designed to assess how well an activity was performed and the results achieved. They are also designed to reveal if constant improvement is being realized. Measures of activity performance center on three major dimensions: (1) efficiency, (2) quality, and (3) time.
Efficiency focuses on the relationship of activity inputs to activity outputs. For example, one way to improve activity efficiency is to produce the same activity output with lower cost for the inputs used. Quality is concerned with doing the activity right the first time it is performed. If the activity output is defective, then the activity may need to be repeated, causing unnecessary cost and reduction in efficiency. The time required to perform an activity is also critical. Longer times usually mean more resource consumption and less ability to respond to customer demands. Time measures of performance tend to be nonfinancial, whereas efficiency and quality measures are both financial and nonfinancial.
Measures of Activity Performance
Knowing how well we are currently performing an activity should disclose the potential for doing better. Since many of the nonfinancial measures that will be discussed for the process perspective of the Balanced Scorecard (Strategic-based responsibility accounting system discussed in Chapter 16) also apply at the activity level, this section will emphasize financial measures of activity performance. Financial measures of performance should also provide specific information about the dollar effects of activity performance changes. Thus, financial measures should indicate both potential and actual savings. Financial measures of activity efficiency include (1) value-and non-value-added activity cost reports, (2) trends in activity cost reports, (3) kaizen standard setting, (4) benchmarking, and (5) life-cycle costing.