7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium embodying a computer program for performing a method, said method comprising: extracting performance data of a process from a data object of an application to an in-memory database of a computer system, wherein the performance data is extracted to the in-memory database in real time from unmodified source data without preaggregation; storing the performance data in the in-memory database; performing statistical analysis on the performance data to generate a model of at least one operational leading indicator (OLI) of the process, the model comprising calculation of a ratio without an index artifact, the ratio evaluating a first condition comprising a lock indicator of the data object in the application, and a second condition evaluating a threshold absolute balance of the data object over a defined number of posting periods, wherein the statistical analysis is performed using in-memory computing directly on the performance data stored in the in-memory database without requiring separate computer hardware; storing the model of the OLI in the in-memory database; causing an in-memory database engine in communication with the model to receive inputs for performance values and performance measures of the process; causing the in-memory database engine to process an output of the statistical analysis of the model in order to produce a cost measure; performing, by the computer system, ongoing measurements of operational performance of the process from the output of the statistical analysis of the model; determining, by the computer system, variations in the operational performance of the process in response to the ongoing measurements; and implementing, by the computer system, corrective action based on the variations in the operational performance of the process.
10. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as in claim 7 wherein the method further comprises causing the in-memory database engine to perform a what-if simulation based upon a new value for performance factors specified by a user.