Carrier Performance Scorecard Worksheet
Most warehouses know their carriers only by gut feel and the last late truck. A simple monthly scorecard makes the comparison factual and gives you something specific to discuss at the next rate review.
| Carrier | Mode | Shipments | Delivered on time | Shipments with damage | Claims paid ($) | Freight spend ($) | On-time % | Damage % | Cost per shipment | Score (0-100) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
93.7% | 2.8% | $272 | 84.9296 | ||||||||
89.6% | 5.2% | $251 | 72.9167 | ||||||||
94.7% | 0% | $1,611 | 96.8421 | ||||||||
95.2% | 1.1% | $12 | 92.7561 |
The score weights on-time delivery at 60% and damage at 40%, with each 1% of damage costing 10 points on the damage side. These weights are a starting point. Change the mix in your own copy to reflect what matters most for your shipments. Compare carriers within the same mode, since parcel and truckload are not like for like.
Automate your carrier KPIs
Optional: a short review of building carrier KPIs directly from ERP shipment and receipt data.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use the scorecard
Add one row per carrier per period. Enter the number of shipments, how many were delivered on time against the promised date, how many arrived with damage, claims paid and total freight spend. The sheet calculates on-time percentage, damage percentage, cost per shipment and a combined score. Export to Excel monthly and keep the history so you can see trends rather than single bad weeks.
Definitions that keep it honest
On time should mean delivered by the committed date or appointment, not by the date the carrier says. Damage should be counted from receiving exceptions, not only from claims, because many damaged shipments never become claims. Use shipments rather than pallets or pounds so each carrier is treated consistently, and note the mode, as parcel, LTL and truckload have different expected service levels.
- On-time % equals on-time shipments divided by total shipments
- Damage % equals damaged shipments divided by total shipments
- Cost per shipment equals freight spend divided by shipments
- Separate scorecards by mode if volumes differ greatly
Reading the score
The combined score favours service over price on purpose, because the cheapest carrier is rarely cheapest after late deliveries, claims and customer complaints. Look at the score together with cost per shipment. A carrier with an excellent score and a higher cost may be worth keeping for critical lanes, while a low score with a low rate should lose volume or be put on an improvement plan.
Common mistakes
Teams often use carrier-reported on-time data without checking, ignore small carriers with few shipments where a single failure swings the percentage, and compare unlike modes. Another mistake is no feedback loop: share the scorecard with the carriers and agree improvement targets, otherwise it is only a report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What KPIs belong on a carrier scorecard?
On-time delivery, damage rate, claims ratio, cost per shipment, tender acceptance and invoice accuracy are the common ones. Start with a few you can measure reliably from your own records, then add others as data quality improves.
How often should I review carriers?
Monthly for operational review and quarterly for commercial discussions. Keeping the monthly history lets you see trends and avoids reacting to a single bad week.
How do I count on-time delivery?
Compare actual delivery date or appointment time to the committed date at booking. Use your own receiving records where possible, since carrier tracking data can be optimistic or incomplete.
Can I change the score weights?
Yes. Copy the sheet to Excel and adjust the formula to reflect your priorities, for example giving cost or tender acceptance a weight. Keep the weights stable between periods so scores stay comparable.
If shipment, receiving and invoice data sit in different systems, we can discuss pulling them together from your ERP to produce this scorecard without manual counting.
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