INDICATORS OF PERFORMANCE: SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS

Universities are coming under increasing pressure to develop and implement Indicators of Performance in order to demonstrate their efficiency and to facilitate institutional planning. In this paper a number of possible indicators for monitoring individual and departmental performance in teaching and research are explored. Preliminary studies indicate that while it is possible to identify both ‘excellence’ and relatively poor performance, it is very difficult, at least in the present circumstances, to effect positive changes in the latter. A sensitive yet economical system of Indicators of Performance could ensure that the professional development of individual academics, as well as departmental and institutional planning, could proceed on a more realistic and rational basis.