Description: This report is aimed at those managing design teams in construction companies of all types and who are interested in promoting the concept of performance management within their organisations. It describes the work undertaken by CIRIA to investigate the key issues relating to performance measurement of design activities carried out by construction organisations in the UK. The report concentrates on the conclusions drawn and recommendations for good practice. Some background information is also presented to aid the reader in putting the guidance presented in context. Eleven of the leading design consultants and contractors in the UK took part in the study, which was carried out between January 1999 and December 2000. The aims were to investigate how design was being managed within the participating organisations and to develop a framework of key indicators with which to measure performance of design activities.

Keywords: benchmarking and KPIs