Applying performance management on semiconductor design processes

Measuring performance of business processes is emerging as a significant utility in order to maintain and improve competitive advantages. In this paper the first steps to build up performance measures for semiconductor design processes are presented. An existing framework of a performance management system is adapted to the demands of chip design. Furthermore, company-specific and general factors, which have to be considered, are described to define key performance indicators. In times of technological changes and product variety increase it is of particular importance for every semiconductor company to keep up with the shrinking time-to-market windows. Managers have to make the right decisions concerning the workload-manpower mix.