CHAPTER 9 - Developing Performance Metrics

Abstract

This chapter provides a step-by-step description of a procedure for developing scaled performance metrics. Scaled performance metrics replace the more common and traditional advocacy-based approach to decision making. It further proves that advocacy-based decision making, which currently dominates the sustainability debate, allows individuals and special interest groups to maintain hidden agendas. A functional performance metrics for a given objective should have characteristics like providing a measure that a team agrees is functional for the understanding of an objective, providing a clear and unbiased comparison of alternatives and also providing a measure of threshold requirements. It explains that economic performance metrics are the simplest and most amenable to quantification and relatively straightforward algorithms. No monetized environmental performance metrics explains that some ecological services are difficult to monetize because of the vague connection between a service and its ultimate impact on human infrastructure. For examples, biodiversity and open space, aesthetically pleasing landscapes or view sheds, and wilderness. Application of sustainability performance metrics, their functionality extends well beyond that of mere analysis.