Though it’s been around since at least the early 1990s, the abbreviation KPI, and its corresponding full form key performance indicator, is still largely confined to specialist business glossaries rather than mainstream dictionaries. The concept has attracted a degree of controversy because, in practice, KPIs can often be difficult for organizations to implement, and may even have negative fallout if employees are working to satisfy targets at the expense of the actual quality or value of their work.

Though it’s been around since at least the early 1990s, the abbreviation KPI, and its corresponding full form key performance indicator, is still largely confined to specialist business glossaries rather than mainstream dictionaries. The concept has attracted a degree of controversy because, in practice, KPIs can often be difficult for organizations to implement, and may even have negative fallout if employees are working to satisfy targets at the expense of the actual quality or value of their work.