Focusing on the use of metrics as a business improvement tool, the report shows a direct correlation between the length of time these programs have been in place and business improvements. "A major factor that sets the best-in-class apart from the industry average companies is the length of time that they have had these programs in place," says Biddle. "While 75% of the best-in-class have synchronized business and plant metrics for two or more years, only 22% of the industry average companies have programs in place for that length of time."