Assessment of the Logistics Readiness Squadron's Performance Indicators

Determining successful business practices and confirming the success of policy or procedural changes on a logistics system is a challenge to even the most expert analysts. In the USAF, the problem has been compounded by the nature of continual changes in the logistics systems goals, the expeditionary nature of the fighting force, and most recently by the organizational changes at the Wing level. Despite the changes, it is imperative at all levels of the logistics system to have a comprehensive, scientifically sound method of measuring the success of the processes that comprise the logistics system. The central research question then becomes: Are the metrics for the Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) adequate to meet the needs of the squadron's managers? The process to answer the question first identified and defined the metrics. Second, a comparative standard was developed that identified characteristics of good logistics metrics, in terms of academia and requirements from USAF logistics doctrine. Finally, a comparison of the LRS metrics with the standard characteristics was accomplished to attempt to link the LRS metrics with the characteristics in the standard. The data reveals that with few exceptions, the LRS metrics are adequate to meet the needs of the managers they are designed to help.