Leading and lagging indicators
Leading indicators show whether planned prevention and control activities are taking place and are being carried out effectively. These can include management walks, actions closed on time, briefing status, permit-to-work (PTW) checks or the time taken to process reports. Lagging indicators describe events that have already occurred, such as injuries, lost days or environmental incidents.
Documenting indicators
Indicators are documented with their definition, calculation logic, data source, owner, update frequency and limitations. Rates without a reliable reference base are avoided. Manpower or attendance data can serve as reference bases, provided that their collection and use are permissible and technically appropriate.
Management report
A management report highlights deviations, trends, overdue actions and the decisions required. It replaces neither the technical assessment nor the discussion in the management review.
HSEE reports as a basis for decisions
A good HSEE report does not only show what has happened. It makes visible whether prevention processes are working, where actions are stalling and which decision management needs to take.
ADLER develops the definitions, data paths, dashboards and report formats for this. Leading and lagging indicators are clearly separated and assessed together.
Possible report contents
- Project and workforce development
- Management walks, site inspections and audits
- Onboarding, briefing and qualification status
- RAMS and PTW status
- Observations, near misses and processing times
- Open, overdue and closed actions
- Incident and accident figures with suitable reference bases
- Trends, focus areas, lessons learned and decisions required
Frequently asked questions
What are leading indicators?
Leading indicators look at forward-looking activities and conditions, for example actions closed on time, participation, training status or management inspections.
What are lagging indicators?
Lagging indicators capture outcomes and events that have already occurred, such as injuries, lost days or environmental incidents.
Is a high number of reported observations a bad sign?
Not automatically. It can point to risks, but also to an active reporting culture. The indicator only becomes meaningful together with quality, processing time, topics and the closure of actions.