Australian Government Architecture Reference Models Version 3.0

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4.2 Structure
The Performance Reference Model (PRM) has a hierarchical structure (Figure 4-13) designed to facilitate the
easy identification and understanding of measurements that describe and explain the effectiveness and
efficiency of business initiatives.
The PRM is organised using measurement domains, domain sub-types, sub-type attributes, and measurement
groupings (variables) at the classification level, and then measurement indicators within the agency
implementation.
Unlike traditional taxonomies, in some places the PRM contains duplicate entries with the same definition. This
is intentional and results in a more usable framework that provides better support for management tools such as
balanced scorecards and strategy maps. Sub-type attributes and domain sub-types can readily be reversed
within the hierarchy without altering the intent of the measurement.
The tiers are:
Level 1 Measurement domains
Level 2 Domain sub-types
Level 3 Sub-type attributes
Australian Government Architecture Reference Models Version 3.0
Figure 4-13: PRM structure
Measurement domains are the highest level collections in the
PRM and correspond to the domains described in the Outcome
Process Model.
Measurement domain sub-types are the second-level
organising framework of the PRM and are structured to align
with the forms that the measurement domains take. For
example, in the Inputs measurement domain, the domain subtypes
are types of input, or input types, and include HR, Money,
Information etc.
Sub-type attributes are collections within each measurement
domain sub-type describing the common attributes or
characteristics of the sub-type that are able to be measured. For
example, HR as an Input resource has the following measurable
attributes: Costs, Expertise and Availability.