Establishing Performance Measures Once responsibility is defined, performance measures must be identified and standards set to serve as benchmarks for performance measurement. Exhibit 5-5 provides a comparison of the two systems’ approaches to the task of defining performance measures. According to Exhibit 5-5 budgeting and standard costing are the cornerstones of the benchmark activity for a financial – based system. This, of course, implies that performance measures are objective and financial in nature. In nature. Furthermore, Furthermore, they tend to support the status quo and are relatively stable over time. Exhibit 5-5 reveals some striking differences for firms operating in continuous improvement. First, performance measures are process – oriented and, thus, must be concerned with process attributes such as process time quality, and efficiency. Second, performance measurement standards are structured to support change. Therefore, standards are dynamic in nature. They change to reflect new conditions and new goals and to help maintain any progress that has been realized. For example, standards can be set that reflect some desired level of improvement for a process. Once the desired level is achieved, the standard is changed to encourage an additional increment of improvement. In an environment where constant improvement is sought, standards cannot be static. Third optimal standards assume a vital role. They set the ultimate achievement target and, thus, identify the potential for improvement. Finally, standards should reflect the value added by individual activities and processes. Identifying a value – added standard for each activity much more ambitious than the traditional financial responsibility system. It expands control to include the entire organization.