A method of measuring the value of a machine tool's performance based upon tangible results. The method specifies the core principles of defining a machine tool part setup consisting of a plane, orientation, and origin. By establishing the plane, orientation, and origin measuring programs and cutting toolpaths are recorded with precision. Machine tool results of positioning, squareness, parallelism, and circularity are revealed upon establishing the proper machine tool setup. Using the method displays the quality of a machine tool which defines its value in the marketplace.