Measurement: Designing Meaningful Metrics

Measurement: Designing Meaningful Metrics

In the final analysis, the decision on what to measure has the highest influence on the success or failure of a Systems Thinking Action Learning team. Meaningful metrics are a careful blend of measures of progress toward vision and strategic intent, and the efficiency with which the forward progress is made.

The greatest risk in defining metrics is the trap of making the metric the goal. Once that shift takes place, the metric ceases to have meaning.

Meaningful metrics speak to purpose, and the reason the work is performed in the first place. People are inspired by why they do the work they do, not the efficiency with which it is done.

Notwithstanding, leaders have an obligation to leave behind them assets for the future; hence, metrics that measure the conservation of assets have meaning in the life of the organization.

The key to effective Systems Thinking Action Learning teams is striking a balance between metrics that speak to the desired ends of purpose and strategic intent, and the necessary means of wisely allocating resources.