Efficiency And Effectiveness Metrics And Personal Benchmarks And Benchmarking

Effectiveness IT metrics is significant in measuring how Information Technology affects aspects of the business world, as well as, part of the business process. Efficiency and effectiveness metrics are known to be the two main IT metrics. Efficiency IT metrics measure the performance of the IT system itself including throughput, speed, and availability, while Effectiveness IT metrics on the other hand, measure the impact IT has on business processes and activities including customer satisfaction, conversion rates, and sell-through increases. From the case study, the following metrics can be used to measure the success of the IT systems. These include;

Efficiency metrics

System availability- this is the number of the hours a system is available for the users. For instance, the IRS created a remote network access infrastructure, known as Enterprise Remote Access Project Virtual Private Network, which allowed the employees to work from home as well as, other locations while still having access to IRS data centers making the system to be available to everyone.

Information accuracy-this is an extent to which the system is able to generate the correct results particularly when executing the same transaction numerous times.

Throughout-this is the amount of information which can travel through a system at any point

Transaction Speed- this is the amount or quantity of time a system takes in performing a transaction

Response time- this involves the time it takes to respond to user interactions. For instance, from the case study, the IRS had had a business continuity plan which ensured that the system continued working despite the disaster. In addition, the main data centers were seen to have been located outside the District of Columbia and were therefore unaffected by the water.

Effectiveness metrics

Usability- The ease at which people are able to find information. For instance, in the case study provided, the employees were able to work from home as well as, using temporary workstations set up in every available space.

Personal Benchmarks and Benchmarking

Benchmarking refers to a systematic process that is used to identify and implement the best or better practices (Duim, 2009). Today, benchmarking is continuing to grow in business management; as a result, it is providing measurable data which can be used in improving the staff performance as well as, virtually any other organizational effort. In personal life, benchmarking focuses ones efforts on learning as well as, understanding from an excellent performance. However, the process of selecting benchmark to be used can be subjective, because it involves personal choice on what to be measured and how it should be measured. Benchmarking is significant in a person’s life because it allows people to correct problems they identify by going back to the last benchmark. For instance, one significant way in which I can use benchmarks and benchmarking in my personal life is in a case where may be I want to retire in thirty years, it is most definitely that I will know how much money I will have to invest today; furthermore, I can as well anticipate how much I will be able to invest in the future. My benchmark values are teamwork and success. I believe that teamwork in an organization may lead to success of organization. My benchmark values can be derived by ensuring that I positively participate with other members or staffs in other organization or in the organization where I am employed.

Reference

HYPERLINK “Duim, D. (2009). Developing your personal benchmark. Widgets RSS. Retrieved December 26, 2013, from http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/print-edition/2011/07/15/developing-your-personal-benchmark.html?page=all” Duim, D. (2009). Developing your personal benchmark. Widgets RSS. Retrieved December 26, 2013, from http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/print-edition/2011/07/15/developing-your-personal-benchmark.html?page=all