The document defines key performance indicators (KPIs) as quantifiable measures used by companies to assess progress towards strategic goals. KPIs vary between industries but are directly linked to overall business objectives and help track key success factors. The document outlines how to design, identify, evaluate and select appropriate KPIs, and notes advantages like improved decision making and visibility while disadvantages can include being short-term focused or not connecting to external benchmarks. Common types of KPIs include process, input, output, leading, lagging, qualitative and quantitative measures.