Research-Portfolio Performance Metrics

📖 The Scoop

The effectiveness of research, like that of other activities, can be evaluated at different levels-the individual project, a group of projects or program, or a larger grouping that might include multiple programs (a portfolio). Focusing on options for research portfolio evaluation, RAND Corporation researchers found many metrics in use or recommended for federal agencies and private, research-supporting organizations and organized them in a taxonomy. This report presents the characteristics and utility of these metrics, organized by individual stages in a logic-model framework, mapping portfolio metrics to the upstream stages of inputs, processes, and outputs and the downstream stages of outcomes and impacts. At each stage, categories of metrics are composed of sets of metric types, each of which is, in turn, composed of individual metrics. In addition to developing this taxonomy, the authors appraised key attributes of portfolio evaluation metrics and described the trade-offs associated with their use. This structured, annotated compilation can help the Defense Health Agency and other entities that evaluate research portfolios to select, develop, or revise the metrics they use.

Genre: Business & Economics / General (fancy, right?)