Performance Matters™ Plus
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Performance Management made easy for Workforce Development
Performance Matters Plus is a full-featured, Web-based performance management system...a complete performance management application service for the Workforce Development community.
Using the latest in private-sector decision support technology, the Performance Matters Web application service has been carefully designed and developed to give state and local program managers and administrators access to the performance information they need to effectively monitor, analyze, report and manage their organization's WIA (+ Common Measures), Wagner-Peyser, VETS, and Trade Act performance data, plus any locally defined performance measures, down to the contractor level.
This service taps into the vast amounts of data stored by Workforce Development transactions systems and displays it to facilitate effective decision making.
The Performance Matters Plus web application is entirely owned and operated by FutureWork Systems and delivered over the Internet via a common Web browser; it is not a Case Management system. In addition to decision support software, FutureWork Systems provides an array of services to supplement the application, such as data validation and data warehousing and ongoing support and technical assistance, including our popular Quarterly Performance Reviews for state and local workforce development areas utilizing the Performance Matters Plus system. The entire service package has been refined to meet the needs of Workforce Development professionals at all levels within the workforce system.
The application's over 100 default reports and ad hoc reporting functionality have been carefully designed to meet the analysis needs of Executives (directors, administrators and WIB members), Adult and Dislocated Worker Program Managers, Youth Program Managers and Analysts and IT experts. The number of reports are entirely up to the user.
“This new performance measurement system under WIA is a high-stakes game - - a state’s future funding and, therefore, its ability to serve its citizens may depend upon how well it performs compared to how well it is expected to perform.”
– General Accounting Office Report GAO-02-272, February 2002 |
Some important benefits:
Not just a powerful decision support tool...a complete service.
The Performance Matters Plus application service is more than a powerful decision support Web-based tool. It's an array of services designed to help you simplify state and local workforce development area performance management. See service details.
A single, reliable source for Performance information means greater control and confidence.
All performance measures are within one decision-support application. WIA measures and the Common Measures are included in Performance Matters Plus, but whatever you're measuring in your workforce programs can be included. WIA, Wagner-Peyser, TAA, VETS, TANF or any specific state and local measures. It's that simple. And it means that everyone on your team is looking at the same version of the truth.
Staying in the know has never been easier. Now decision-making can be backed up by a better, more complete understanding of the facts. No more flying blind.
Mining useful information from vast amounts of case management data can be challenging and time consuming for workforce development staff, particularly if that information comes from multiple sources. It often is difficult to get at within a case management system and/or it's not timely for policy decision-making. Performance Matters Plus gives access to performance information in its most up-to-date state so that you and your team really know what's going on and are confident that you know the latest. Since the application is dynamic, digging into your performance data to find answers to those tough policy questions is easy and in your complete control.
Simple implementation and operation. No IT management or infrastructure concerns.
Translation: We do it all...from the hardware right down to the software. Your team just needs a Web browser and to be ready for a very short IT implementation period of just 30 days.
As an application service, Performance Matters Plus is entirely managed and operated by FutureWork Systems. This means that you're getting more than just a new software program to help you effectively manage your workforce development performance. You're enjoying the benefits of FutureWorks ongoing data management and warehousing services, and all application upgrades, technical assistance and support. IT concerns are all together removed from the equation. It helps us keep costs down while allowing you to avoid any IT financial investment risk.
Application Service Overview
Using an intuitive interface, colorful graphs and a collection of application controls, users can drill-down, slice and dice, rank, sort and filter performance data and report it many ways to facilitate analysis.
Performance Matters Plus takes performance management to the next level by giving you the power to easily generate required reports (hundreds, even thousands of reports are available and are created dynamically), dig into underlying causes through ad-hoc analysis, and see trends and operational insights to support continuous improvement initiatives.
How does it work?
How does it work?

Performance Matters Plus utilizes data captured by existing case management systems, adding value to these existing IT investments without interfering with your IT infrastructure. It is NOT a case management system. It's a decision-support system that sits on top of a case management system by providing access to the data for comprehensive reporting and analysis.
Each month, FutureWork Systems imports your case management system data in the WIA standard data format (WIASRD) (+ additional data sources, such as Universal Access, Customer Satisfaction and quarterly for Allocation/Expense data) to our secure, company-owned servers. The data is warehoused and WIASRD data is processed through data validation programs that follow DOL data validation guidelines. Once finalized the data is made available the Performance Matters Plus application using FutureWork Systems' database and analysis servers. Access to your data for multidimensional analysis, dynamic report generation and decision support is delivered to your desktop through Performance Matters Plus-- a secure, private Web site for your organization. Individuals with passwords login and have a current snapshot of performance data at the ready for analysis. All of this occurs within 24-48 hours after receipt of your monthly data.
Implementation Schedule
In as little as 30 days from procurement, Performance Matters Plus can be up and running in your area. Once the application is running, onsite training is conducted, and FutureWorks provides ongoing support and technical assistance.
Customized for local measures and other funding sources
In addition to providing you with access to your WIA, Wagner-Peyser, and TAA measures, Performance Matters Plus can easily be customized to include any local measures (balance scorecards, etc.), as well as other funding sources, such as TANF. Customizations have no impact on your monthly service fees. Clients are only responsible for development costs associated with customized modules.
More than just performance reporting: The Roster Bonus

Our data load process into Performance Matters Plus results in an additional benefit called the roster database. A Roster database provides you with a clear understanding of who is impacting your performance measures by showing you individuals behind the numerators and denominators of all measures. This flat-file, offline database can help you validate the data and it gives you the ability to direct the appropriate follow-up activities to take action for improving your performance. >> more about rosters
Training
Performance Matters Plus requires minimal training. As a Web-based application accessed through a common Web browser and utilizing user-friendly interface elements and simple application controls, there's little to no "interface learning curve." The application has been designed for users at all technical skill levels. However, as part of the service, FutureWork Systems offers ongoing technical assistance, help and web support and frequent Web training events to keep users informed and engaged.
As part of the Performance Matters Plus service, FutureWorks provides ongoing technical assistance and Quarterly Performance Reviews.
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Watch the multi-media presentation of Performance Matters Plus (what is it, who benefits and what are the service details?) |
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