A conceptual framework for application of performance measurement as an early warning system in projects: an analysis on the case of the London ambulance service project

This study presents an overview of the concept of early warning signs in projects and explains how a performance measurement system can be utilized as an early warning signal for avoiding failure. An analysis will be done on the published assessments of a project, the London Ambulance Service, which failed to fulfill its goals. This analysis has been performed in order to illustrate the feasible problems pertaining to a real case and its consequences. The rationale behind this selection is not to offer criticism relating to this specific project's performance but to learn constructively from it and move towards a better practice. A statement has been made that, with application of a performance measurement system in the project phase, chaos and perhaps total failure in the operational phase could have been prevented. Also, a conceptual performance measurement system has been proposed, using the main problems in the project phase as a reference for addressing the dimensions of performance to be measured, objects to be controlled, and the indicators. The overall aim of this paper is to increase understanding of the concept of early warning signs in projects and offer a possible approach, which can assist project managers in taking timely preventive actions in order to avoid undesired outcomes.