Measuring Progress Tangible Steps to the Future Lofty goals are realized only through concrete actions and assessment. Some goals trans- late more easily into measures than others. We use the following criteria to guide our work. Performance measures should: 1. tie directly to key performance areas 2. provide data that can lead to improvement 3. be viewed as credible by stakeholders 4. be understood by a wide audience 5. be collected within reasonable cost/effort 6. identify those responsible for reporting 7. be sustainable over a period of years With these criteria in mind, performance measures have been developed for the strategies in the plan. The Appendix provides a detailed description of these measures, the base- line data where available, and a timeline with targets for improvement into the future. The university will produce an annual report that tracks the progress toward these goals and toward the measures mandated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Annual updates to the plan will refine and adapt the strategies and maintain steady progress into our common future. student-centered public research university 31