Did you know that 70% of industrial companies struggle to achieve their productivity objectives? Operational performance management represents the solution to this major challenge. Indeed, how can you optimize your operations without precisely measuring their efficiency? At first glance, this discipline may seem complex. However, it constitutes the main lever for transforming your industry. First, it enables you to make informed decisions. Next, it optimizes your production costs. Finally, it improves the quality of your products.
Are you managing a production team? Are you looking to reduce your operational costs? Then this guide will provide you with concrete answers. We will explore proven methods and innovative technologies together. Furthermore, you will discover how Picomto revolutionizes this field through the digitalization of work instructions.

Key points to remember about operational performance management:
- Operational performance management transforms your field data into strategic decisions
- 4 essential pillars: Cost, Quality, Delivery, and Safety to measure efficiency
- Relevant KPIs: OEE, scrap rate, MTBF to effectively manage your operations
- Continuous improvement: The PDCA method to continuously optimize your processes
- Digitalization: Connected work instructions revolutionize data collection
- Measurable ROI: 15 to 25% productivity improvement according to sector studies
1. What is operational performance management?
Operational performance management constitutes much more than simple management control. In fact, it is a strategic approach that transforms your data into concrete actions. Thus, you optimize every aspect of your industrial operations.
1.1. What is the exact definition of operational performance management?
First, let’s precisely define this concept. Operational performance management represents a continuous process. Indeed, it measures, analyzes, and improves your daily activities. Unlike traditional management control, it focuses on field efficiency.
This transversal approach encompasses several departments:
- Production: Supervision of key indicators and yield optimization
- Maintenance: Preventive and corrective integration to maximize availability
- Quality: Product control and customer satisfaction improvement
- Logistics: Flow optimization and delivery deadline compliance
1.2. What are the 4 fundamental pillars of operational performance?
Next, let’s examine the four essential pillars that structure your approach:
COST Pillar – Resource optimization
- Reduction of waste and energy overconsumption
- Improvement of production process efficiency
- Concrete example: Veolia reduced its energy costs by 18%
QUALITY Pillar – Compliance and satisfaction
- Customer satisfaction measurement and non-conformity reduction
- Continuous improvement of quality processes
- Concrete example: Haleon reduced its scrap rate by 30%
DELIVERY Pillar – Schedule compliance
- Guarantee of delivery deadline compliance
- Improvement of responsiveness to unforeseen events
- Concrete example: SKF increased its delivery punctuality by 25%
SAFETY Pillar – Employee protection
- Reduction of workplace accident risks
- Improvement of working conditions
- Concrete example: The French Navy reduced its incidents by 40%
1.4. Why has performance management become indispensable today?
Today, several factors make this approach crucial:
Current industrial context:
- Increasingly intense competitive pressure
- Rapidly evolving customer requirements
- Need to continuously optimize processes
Industry 4.0 revolution:
- Digital technologies offering new opportunities
- Requirement for better data mastery
- Transformation of market expectations
2. How to implement effective performance management?
Implementing effective operational performance management requires a structured approach. In fact, it relies on precise steps and proven methods. Thus, you maximize your chances of success.
2.1. How to define relevant and measurable performance objectives?
To begin, use the SMART methodology. Indeed, your objectives must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. In this regard, this approach guarantees their feasibility.
Key steps for objective definition:
- Strategic alignment: Connect your objectives to your corporate vision
- Team involvement: Mobilize your collaborators in the definition
- Precise measurability: Set quantified and temporally defined thresholds
- Clear communication: Explain the stakes and benefits for everyone
2.2. Which KPIs to choose for effectively measuring your operational performance?
Next, judiciously select your key performance indicators. First, limit yourself to 5-7 main KPIs per domain. Indeed, too many indicators harm clarity.
PRODUCTION KPIs – Industrial efficiency
- OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness): Global performance measurement
- Cycle time: Operation execution speed
- Scrap rate: Production quality
MAINTENANCE KPIs – Equipment availability
- MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): Equipment reliability
- MTTR (Mean Time To Repair): Intervention efficiency
- Preventive/corrective ratio: Maintenance proactivity
QUALITY KPIs – Customer satisfaction
- Non-conformity rate: Standards compliance
- Customer complaints: External satisfaction
- Cost of non-quality: Financial impact of defects
2.3. How to collect reliable and exploitable data?
Data quality conditions the relevance of your management. In this regard, several sources feed your information system:
Traditional data sources:
- ERP: Cross-functional enterprise information centralization
- MES: Real-time production supervision
- IoT sensors: Automated machine data
Revolution of digitalized instructions: However, digitalized work instructions revolutionize this collection. Indeed, Picomto automatically records every operator action. Consequently, you obtain precise and exhaustive data.
This technology captures several crucial pieces of information:
- Real execution times of each operation
- Errors made and their immediate corrections
- Field observations reported by operators
2.4. How to analyze and interpret your performance data?
Analysis transforms your raw data into actionable information. To do this, use visual dashboards. Indeed, they facilitate trend identification. Moreover, they reveal deviations from objectives.
Recommended analysis tools:
- Business Intelligence solutions: Complex analysis structuring
- Dynamic graphics: Comprehension facilitation
- Automatic alerts: Immediate deviation signaling
- Real-time dashboards: Instant management
Optimal analysis frequencies:
- Production: Daily monitoring for immediate reactivity
- Maintenance: Monthly analysis for long-term trends
- Quality: Weekly control for corrective actions
3. Which tools and technologies to digitalize your performance management?
Digitalization radically transforms operational performance management. Indeed, new technologies offer unprecedented possibilities. Thus, they optimize the collection, analysis, and exploitation of your data.
3.1. How does Industry 4.0 revolutionize performance management?
Industry 4.0 disrupts traditional industrial management codes. This technological revolution opens new optimization perspectives.
IoT technologies and connectivity:
- Connected equipment providing real-time data
- Smart sensors permanently monitoring your processes
- Integrated communication networks to streamline exchanges
Artificial Intelligence and predictive analytics:
- Algorithms predicting failures before they occur
- Machine Learning continuously improving your models
- Automatic optimization of your production parameters
Big Data and advanced analytics:
- Processing enormous volumes of information
- Revealing correlations invisible to the human eye
- Predictive analyses to anticipate trends
Digital twins simulate your processes without risk. Indeed, they test optimization scenarios. Moreover, they predict the impact of modifications. This approach secures your decision-making.
3.2. What are the essential software solutions for effective management?
Several tool categories structure your digital ecosystem. Each fulfills specific and complementary functions.
MES (Manufacturing Execution System):
- Real-time management of your production orders
- Material flow supervision and resource optimization
- Direct interface with your production equipment
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning):
- Centralization of all your enterprise data
- Information consistency between all departments
- Facilitation of transversal and global analyses
Business Intelligence tools:
- Transformation of your raw data into indicators
- Creation of personalized and intuitive dashboards
- Complete automation of your periodic reporting
CMMS solutions (Computerized Maintenance Management):
- Optimized planning of your preventive interventions
- Significant reduction of unplanned downtime
- Improvement of your equipment availability
3.4. Why digitalize your work instructions with Picomto?
Instruction digitalization revolutionizes operational performance. This transformation directly impacts all your key indicators.
Best practice standardization: Picomto ensures that each operator follows exactly the same procedure. Indeed, this standardization eliminates human variability. Consequently, you obtain consistent and predictable results.
Complete operation traceability: The solution automatically records each action performed:
- Precise timestamping of all steps
- Exhaustive documentation of interventions
- Securing of your quality and compliance processes
Precise data collection: Picomto automatically measures your field performance:
- Real execution times of each operation
- Errors made and their immediate corrections
- Field observations reported by operators
Training acceleration: Training becomes more efficient and rapid:
- Visual instructions facilitating comprehension
- Progressive and personalized learning
- Autonomy achieved 40% faster according to our studies
3.5. How does Picomto integrate into your management ecosystem?
Picomto integration enriches your existing information system. This connectivity creates powerful synergy with your current tools.
System connectivity:
- Facilitated connection with your existing MES and ERP
- Use of standardized APIs for interoperability
- Fluid data circulation between all your systems
KPI enrichment: This connectivity feeds your KPIs with reliable field data:
- Precise and permanently updated information
- Elimination of manual entry errors
- Improvement of your strategic analysis quality
Corrective action facilitation: Picomto accelerates improvement implementation:
- Instant diffusion of new procedures
- Real-time verification of their field application
- Maximum reactivity for continuous improvement
Continuous improvement loop: The solution creates a perpetual optimization cycle:
- Automatic collection of field observations
- Rapid identification of improvement points
- Immediate diffusion of validated optimizations
4. What are the concrete benefits of performance management?
Operational performance management generates measurable and lasting benefits. In fact, it concretely transforms your industry. Thus, you obtain significant return on investment.
4.1. How does management impact your profitability?
The financial impact of management manifests at several levels. This approach directly optimizes your economic results.
Production cost reduction:
- Waste elimination and resource optimization
- Significant reduction of scrap and non-conformities
- Reduction of energy and material overconsumption
Human resource optimization:
- Maximization of each collaborator’s productivity
- Reduction of unplanned downtime
- Improvement of overall team efficiency
Attractive return on investment: According to a PwC study, 85% of companies recover their project investment in less than 2 years. Furthermore, gains continue over time. This performance largely justifies the initial investment.
4.2. What impact on quality and customer satisfaction?
Quality improvement constitutes a major benefit. This progression strengthens your competitive position.
Product quality improvement:
- Drastic reduction of non-conformity rate
- Significant reduction of customer complaints
- Continuous improvement of product reliability
Customer satisfaction reinforcement:
- Delivery of more reliable and compliant products
- Increased loyalty of your existing clientele
- Attraction of new prospects through your reputation
Competitive advantages:
- Facilitated certification and regulatory compliance
- Improvement of your brand image
- Opening of new demanding markets
4.3. How to improve your teams’ engagement and productivity?
Management also transforms your collaborators’ motivation. This human evolution amplifies all other benefits.
Operator empowerment:
- Clear understanding of their actions’ impact
- Reinforced involvement in global results
- Motivation naturally increased by transparency
Continuous improvement culture:
- Each collaborator proposes optimizations
- Permanent innovation in all processes
- Systematic valorization of individual contributions
Skills development:
- Continuous training adapted to identified needs
- Progressive and structured skill advancement
- Increased versatility for greater organizational agility
Facilitation by Picomto: Picomto facilitates daily work through clear and visual instructions:
- Drastic reduction of operational errors
- Reinforced autonomy of field teams
- Simplification of complex processes
4.4. How to strengthen your operational agility and resilience?
Management improves your adaptation capacity. This flexibility constitutes a lasting competitive advantage.
Change adaptation:
- Rapid production readjustment according to demand
- Optimal satisfaction of variable customer requirements
- Manufacturing flexibility to seize opportunities
Risk anticipation:
- Early identification of potential problems
- Proactive implementation of prevention plans
- Effective avoidance of operational crises
Dysfunction reactivity:
- Immediate detection of operating anomalies
- Rapid intervention to minimize impacts
- Drastic limitation of losses and unplanned stops
Conclusion
Operational performance management emerges as an unavoidable strategic necessity. In fact, this approach fundamentally transforms your industry. Thus, it allows you to achieve operational excellence.
Picomto revolutionizes this approach through work instruction digitalization. Indeed, this solution bridges the gap between strategy and execution. Consequently, it materializes your performance ambitions.
FAQ
Q: What is performance management?
A: Continuous process of measuring, analyzing, and improving activities to optimize operational efficiency.
Q: What is operational management?
A: Real-time supervision of operations to make quick decisions and correct deviations.
Q: What are the 4 dimensions of operational performance?
A: Cost (resource optimization), Quality (product compliance), Delivery (schedule compliance), Safety (employee protection).
Q: What are the 3 types of performance?
A: Operational performance (process efficiency), Financial performance (economic results), Strategic performance (long-term objectives).
Q: What are the 5 performance objectives of operations?
A: Reduce costs, improve quality, meet deadlines, ensure safety, optimize productivity.

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