System performance is the amount of useful work done by a system - measured by the production speed of products of a predefined quality. System performance often boosts the competitiveness for high-tech Cyber-Physical Systems. To meet market demands for product quality, product customization and total cost of ownership per product, systems need to meet ever more ambitious performance targets relating to system productivity.

Performance cuts across all system levels, intricately related with other system-level aspects like product quality, cost, reliability, security and customizability.

Designing for performance ensures that system performance is a comprehensive priority throughout the full life cycle of the system