Production records can be used to measure herd performance. They identify potential areas for improvement and lead to management decisions to address these areas. These decisions are then evaluated by monitoring performance with production records, continuing the cycle. A variety of software programs can be used to manage production records efficiently. Spreadsheet programs are more suited to individual management events, while database programs allow one to analyze farms both across multiple years on the herd level and on an individual-cow basis. With both types of programs, appropriate reports can be generated for the management team to evaluate and analyze together.