How to Build KPIs That Drive Change
- wix designer
- Jul 18
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 12
By B.I.M Corporation | Business Intelligence Insights
KPIs Are Everywhere — But Are They Doing Anything?
From executive dashboards to nonprofit scorecards, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are everywhere.
But here’s the truth: most KPIs don’t actually drive change.They report. They summarize.
They may even impress. But they often fail to answer the question:
“So what are we going to do about it?”
At B.I.M Corporation, we believe the best KPIs are not just measured — they’re used.
What Is a KPI?
A KPI (Key Performance Indicator) is a measurable value tied to a specific business goal. But for KPIs to be truly impactful, they must be:
Relevant — tied to strategy
Actionable — within someone’s influence
Timely — frequent enough to support decisions
Why Most KPIs Fail
Here’s where most organizations go wrong:
Measuring outputs instead of outcomes
Choosing what's easy to count, not what matters
Reporting KPIs without ownership, targets, or follow-up
Failing to connect metrics to decision-making
Example: Tracking “website visits” doesn’t help if your goal is “increase donor conversion.”
The KPI Feedback Loop
To build KPIs that actually change things, use this 5-step loop:
1. Define the Purpose
Ask yourself: “What decision will this KPI support?”
If no action will result from it, it’s not a KPI—it’s just data.
2. Anchor to a Strategic Goal
Tie the KPI directly to your mission or objective.
If your goal is “expand equitable access,” then your KPI should reflect distribution by demographic—not just total numbers.
3. Design for Action
KPIs should:
Have a clear owner
Be linked to a target or threshold
Trigger a response when off-track
Example:
“Satisfaction score: 8.2” → Passive
“Satisfaction <7 triggers follow-up within 48 hrs” → Actionable
4. Add Visual Context
Don’t just show a number — show a story:
How has it changed over time?
Are we on target?
Who is doing better or worse?
5. Close the Loop
What happens after the KPI is reviewed?
Is a corrective action taken?
Is the improvement measured?
Is accountability enforced?
A KPI without follow-through is a lost opportunity.
Good KPIs vs. Bad KPIs
Good KPI | Bad KPI |
% of clients achieving outcomes | Total number of clients served |
Avg. response time (last 30 days) | # of calls answered |
% budget on strategic programs | Total expenses |
Service equity index by ZIP code | Number of site visits |
Real-World Example
Client: Workforce Development Nonprofit
Original KPI: “# of job seekers served”
Problem: Didn’t reflect program effectiveness or impact.
New KPIs:
% of job seekers placed within 90 days
Average wage increase post-placement
Placement rates by demographic and ZIP code
Result: Secured new grant funding, reallocated resources, improved equity tracking.
How B.I.M Corporation Helps
We don’t just track numbers. We help organizations:
Define outcome-focused KPIs
Align metrics with strategic plans
Design dashboards for decisions
Build training and accountability around metrics
Automate performance feedback loops
Final Takeaway
A KPI is not a goal — it’s a signal that should spark action.
If your KPIs aren’t driving behavior, it's time to rebuild.
At B.I.M Corporation, we help organizations make data operational — and make performance improvement a habit.
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