What is the UTS performance indicator framework?

UTS has implemented a new Key Performance Indicator (KPI) framework to support the UTS Strategic Plan 2006 - 2009 and associated enabling plans. The primary purpose of the framework, or 'scorecard', is to support management decision making within the University. It seeks to provide Council, the Executive and senior management with informative insights into how UTS is performing as a whole against its strategic planning framework and is likely to perform in the future. As such indicators selected are high level, University-wide and relatively few in number.

The framework for 2006-2009 is structured around four interdependent performance domains:

• teaching and learning
• research
• student experience
• organisational sustainability

These domains map to the objectives of the strategic plan and support plans in a matrix format.

The 'UTS Scorecard Framework' is summarised in the diagram below. It presents the four interdependent performance domains. The dot points represent the broad aspects of our organisational performance that we wish to measure in our scorecard once fully developed.  To view the strategic plan objectives and stategies that the scorecard measures progress against click here.

UTS KPI Scorecard Framework 2007

What indicators are in the framework and how are they reported?

Each year a number of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are selected for each performance domain. A total of 28 KPIs have been selected for reporting during 2007 across all four domains. Reporting to the Senior Executive, Vice Chancellor's Committee, Academic Board and Council incorporates qualitative interpretation of results for each KPI. The KPIs initially approved by Council for reporting in 2005 are set out in the UTS Keeping Pace: Key Performance Indicators and Targets for the Strategic Plan 2005-2008: 2005 Edition (UTS staff access only). These KPIs have been progressively refined since then, a process which is ongoing. Attachments to the above document set out the selection critera used to identify the initial KPIs and a 'KPI development agenda' which identifies potential indicators identified in 2005 for incorporation into the KPI framework at a later stage. Progress against this development agenda is ongoing.

UTS evaluates its performance against the UTS KPIs annually in conjunction with an evaluation against delivery of the Strategic Plan. Where possible, performance is benchmarked internally against past trends and annual targets and externally against Australian Technology Network (ATN), national and international outcomes. The first annual review of performance against the KPIs took place in late 2005/early 2006.

In November 2006 the University Council considered preliminary UTS performance for 2006 against the scorecard (for those KPIs with final or preliminary 2006 data available) and approved university KPI targets for 2007.  In June 2006 Council considered a final UTS performance report for 2005 against the strategic plan and the KPIs.  In Mid 2007 Council will consider a final performance report for 2006.  The KPI Scorecard component of the November 2006 report to Council (If possible, this document should be printed in A3 and in colour. Note: staff access only) incorporates approved university targets for 2007.

How will the framework be reviewed and updated?

The framework as a whole will be reviewed as part of a review of the whole Planning and Quality Management Framework commencing in 2007.  Individual KPIs and associated specific metrics are reviewed annually to ensure the KPI suite measures progress against the university's strategic imperatives as closely as data availability allows.

Want more information?
Please email Martin Hanlon on martin.hanlon@uts.edu.au.