The PRM is a "reference model" or standardized framework to measure the performance of major IT investments and their contribution to program performance. The PRM has three main purposes:

Help produce enhanced performance information to improve strategic and daily decision-making; Improve the alignment-and better articulate the contribution of-inputs to outputs and outcomes, thereby creating a clear "line of sight" to desired results; and Identify performance improvement opportunities that span traditional organizational structures and boundaries.

The PRM attempts to leverage the best of existing approaches to performance measurement in the public and private sectors, including the Balanced Scorecard, Baldrige Criteria, Value Measurement Methodology, program logic models, the value chain, and the theory of constraints. In addition, the PRM was informed by what agencies are currently measuring through PART assessments, GPRA, Enterprise Architecture, and Capital Planning and Investment Control. Agencies' use of the PRM will populate the model over time. The PRM is currently comprised of four measurement areas:

Mission and Business Results
The Mission and Business Results Measurement Area of the PRM is intended to capture the outcomes that agencies seek to achieve. These outcomes are usually developed during the agency budget and strategic planning process prescribed under GPRA, and approved by the PART. Appendix A and Appendix B of this release document provides the entire list of Measurement Categories and Generic Measurement Indicators for the Mission and Business Results Measurement Area.

Customer Results
The Customer Results Measurement Area of the PRM is intended to capture how well an agency or specific process within an agency is serving its customers. This is a critical aspect of successful E-Government.Appendix A and Appendix B of this release document provides the entire list of Measurement Categories and Generic Measurement Indicators for the Mission and Business Results Measurement Area.

Processes and Activities
The Processes and Activities Measurement Area is intended to capture the outputs that are the direct result of the process that an IT initiative supports. These outputs are much more under the control of federal programs and generally contribute to or influence outcomes that are Mission and Business Results and Customer Results. This Measurement Area also captures key aspects of processes or activities that need to be monitored and/or improved.Appendix A and Appendix B of this release document provides the entire list of Measurement Categories and Generic Measurement Indicators for the Mission and Business Results Measurement Area.

Technology
The Technology Measurement Area is designed to capture key elements of performance that directly relate to the IT initiative. An IT initiative generally can include applications, infrastructure, or services provided in support of a process or program.Appendix A and Appendix B of this release document provides the entire list of Measurement Categories and Generic Measurement Indicators for the Mission and Business Results Measurement Area.