This document discusses performance thinking based on the Six Boxes model. It explains that performance thinking views behavior as influencing work outputs which then drive business results. It emphasizes focusing on defining work outputs - the products of behavior rather than the behaviors themselves. Work outputs should be countable, valuable contributions to the organization. The document provides examples of work outputs and outlines criteria for good work outputs. It also references literature on the Six Boxes model and performance improvement.

1. Performance Thinking
Based on Six Boxes Performance thinking
Iowa Quality Center Network Meeting

2. What is Performance Thinking?
 Behavior  Work outputs  Business Results
Behavior Work Output
Business Result

3. The Goal – Improve Performance
Minimum Average Star
Upside Potential

4. Performance Chain
Behavior
Influences
Behavior
Work
Outputs
Business
Results
http://www.sixboxes.com/Performance-Chain.html?

5. Focus on Work Outputs
 A product of behavior, NOT behavior
 A thing - Noun or noun phrase
 Countable one at a time
 Can use “a”, “ an” or “the” before it
 Meaningful as a plural noun
 Valuable contribution to the organization
Behavior
Influences
Behavior
Work
Outputs
Business
Results

6.  “Widget” (tire,
tractor, seed)
 P&L Report
 Safety
 Reduced Errors
 Home Run
 Meeting
 Yes
 Yes
 No
 No
 Yes
 No
Possible Work Output Yes/No
Check & Confirm – Work Outputs

7. Identify Work Outputs – Customer Diagram
Performer
Your Boss
CFO
ITEngineering
Employees • Financial Report
• ROI Calculation Sheet
• Monthly Report
• Strategic Plan
• Project Charter
• Project specifications
• Technical Specifications
• Training Class
• Newsletter
• Tuition Assistance

8. Customer Diagram Example

9. Build a Customer Diagram

10.  Characteristic of the work output
 Easily agreed on
 Specific and concrete
 Aligned with Business Results, Customer
Requirements and/or Org Values
 5 or fewer
 NOT a behavior
Criteria for a “Good” Work Output

11. 6 Boxes Behavior
Influences
Behavior
Work
Outputs
Business
Results
http://www.sixboxes.com/Six-Boxes-Model.html?

12. Example
Behavior
Influences
Behavior
Work
Outputs
Business
Results

13. 6 Boxes
Reported in: P.J. Dean & D.E. Ripley, Performance Improvement Pathfinders: Models for
Organizational Learning. Washington, DC: IPSI, 1997, p. 54
35.3% 29% 11.3%
10.5% 7.5% 6.3%
Behavior
Influences
Behavior
Work
Outputs
Business
Results

14.  P.J. Dean & D.E. Ripley, Performance Improvement Pathfinders:
Models for Organizational Learning. Washington, DC: IPSI,
1997, p. 54
 C. Binder, The Six Boxes®: A Descendent of Gilberts Behavior
Engineering Model. Performance Improvement, 1998, 37(6), p
48-52
 C. Binder, What’s so New about the Six Boxes® Model?. White
paper from the Performance Thinking Network,
www.sixboxes.com
 C. Binder, A View from the Top: Human Performance in
Organizations. White paper from the Performance Thinking
Network, www.sixboxes.com
References