In performance measurement, what does a 'leading indicator' typically indicate?

A leading indicator is a proactive metric that provides insights into potential future performance trends rather than merely reflecting past activities or outcomes. It serves as an early warning sign that can help an organization anticipate and react to changes in performance before they manifest in the results. For example, if a support center tracks the number of incoming customer inquiries, this can indicate future ticket volumes and consequently the potential workload for support staff.

This approach allows organizations to make informed decisions based on projections rather than solely relying on historical data. In contrast, the other options center around different aspects of measurement: historical data analysis focuses on what has already occurred, employee training needs target skill gaps based on current performance, and market competition analysis evaluates the environment in which the organization operates but does not specifically forecast its own individual performance trends.