Key performance indicators for the evaluation of academic and research laboratory facilities

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive list of key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be employed in determining the functional performance of academic and research laboratory facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a two-phase approach. First, a thorough literature review was conducted to identify potential KPIs specific to the performance of laboratory facilities. This was followed by an assessment of the KPIs by 12 respondents including 6 professionals and 6 users. The KPIs were arranged in the form of a questionnaire survey containing response columns for agree/disagree, and importance rating scales for evaluation. The relative importance index values were also computed.

Findings

The result of the study was a comprehensive list of 161 KPIs classified into nine categories including: space, access/circulation, utilities and waste, environmental conditions, furniture, appearance/finishes/image, communications, storage within the space and special building features. These KPIs were perceived to be at varying levels of importance by the respondents.

Originality/value

Though previous studies developed KPIs for the performance of facilities, these KPIs are not universal. Thus, the originality of this study is in its identification of a comprehensive set of KPIs unique to the design, evaluation and management of research and academic laboratory facilities.

Citation

Mahmoud, A.S., Sanni-Anibire, M.O., Hassanain, M.A. and Ahmed, W. (2019), "Key performance indicators for the evaluation of academic and research laboratory facilities", International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 208-230. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-08-2018-0066