What role should employees, in general, play in the development of performance metrics? Why is this role important?

First, the development of a metrics program should be the result of a team effort. Successful metrics implementations involve development teams comprised of individuals representing functional areas within the firm that will be impacted by the metrics. Because this phase of development requires metric identification and definition, it is critical that all impacted areas agree on the appropriate metrics and their definitions. This agreement will lead to a more successful implementation and use of the metrics to manage the business. Identify metric "owners" and tie metric goal achievement to an individual's or division's performance evaluation. This provides the motivation to achieve metric goals and use metrics to manage the business.