8. Performance Criteria, Monitoring and Evaluation

In terms of performance criteria, monitoring and evaluation, it is important to ensure that there is a clear focus on understanding the impact of the Ballarat ICT Cluster.

One of the ways to ensure a clear focus is maintained throughout the next phases of the project is by putting in place a sound evaluation framework from the outset. This entails the setting up of key performance indicators and benchmark measures for the development of the cluster; clear performance criteria for the cluster facilitation; sound supervision and reporting structures; and regular formative and summative evaluation processes.

Cluster development is a long-term process and in establishing cluster performance measurements, it is advisable to put performance indicators (KPIs) in place that take each development phase of the Ballarat ICT cluster into consideration. A cluster is considered established when both its size and rate of growth are significant and sustainable.

Selected measures should examine the performance of the initiative against intended outcomes and ongoing relevance, and makes recommendations to improve future performance. In terms of tangible performance measures, a framework of indicators will need to be developed that will take both hard and soft KPIs into consideration. Tangible performance measures may, for example, include the number of firms that have joined the cluster; the number of firms that have been profiled; the local, regional, national and international contracts and tenders that have been secured; the number of new firms that have been attracted to the region; individual gains by firms; new partnerships and alliances; skill sets that the cluster has to offer; the number of meetings/events that have been organised and attended by the number of cluster stakeholders, etc.

Measuring intangibles which will help to formulate a bigger picture of what is happening in the Ballarat ICT cluster and its wider impact on the region is much more complex as it might take measures such as innovation, internal and external recognition of the cluster; trust, business climate and performance, strategic decision making; impact of cluster facilitation; community, lifestyle, diversity, linkages, and cluster dynamism, amongst others, into consideration.

It is proposed that to effectively govern and measure the development of the Ballarat ICT cluster, formative evaluation and learning processes are built into all future development phases of the Ballarat ICT cluster. Such evaluation and learning processes should be inclusive stakeholder processes which may take the form of a periodic online survey among cluster members and/or a periodic action learning workshop with cluster governance and wider stakeholder representatives. Engaging the cluster community to collectively determine the appropriate future course of action will:

By including active learning processes with ICT cluster members and generating regular input from key stakeholders, the Ballarat ICT cluster can continue to develop and grow. As the cluster evolves over time, its focus may change. In anticipating and proactively dealing with internal and external forces, the cluster will have the opportunity to re-invent itself.