Small enterprises are very important to a country s economy, especially those in development, such as Brazil. Like large companies, small companies need to find ways to measure their operational performance. However, there are few studies that address this issue, mainly due to the great diversity of indicators that do not adapt to the realities of these small companies. This study aims to classify these indicators through a systematic literature review proposing a taxonomy of operational performance indicators and determinants, moderators, mediators and control variables of the operational performance of small companies and a framework for elaboration of broader research with the different causal variants found. After the review, it was verified that there are several nomenclatures for the same term and that several authors address the same indicators. It was also identified that operational performance in small companies is measured through one or more of its five dimensions as an Operational Performance scale, as a scale of other indicators (Quality as an Organizational Performance scale), or even the dimensions themselves the indicators of Performance (Innovation). The results were organized in tables and arranged in the framework with the different variables. From the framework, it is proposed a causal model relating some of the variables, for test of survey applied to services in small and medium enterprises. Due to the research time and the generalization of the keywords, future work proposals are suggested for the continuation of the research.