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If you use a metric like that to affect my pay, I will happily maximize the metric to ensure I get paid as much as possible. As a bonus for you, I will also tr
by ktRolster 10y ago
If you use a metric like that to affect my pay, I will happily maximize the metric to ensure I get paid as much as possible.
As a bonus for you, I will also try to write good code.
- touristtam 10y agoGamification at its finest. I copmpletely agree with you. :)
- wccrawford 10y agoSo true! I have yet to see a metric that wasn't gamed somehow, even by people who are generally honest and upright otherwise. If you base someone's livelihood on a number, expect them to attempt to maximize that number, probably at the expense of other numbers that you may or may not be considering.
- ad-hominem 10y agoGaming a metric your employer uses to evaluate you isn't inherently immoral or dishonest.
- ronald_raygun 10y agoReminds me of a good essay - "You are what you measure"
- thebent 10y ago“to affect my pay” ← totally agree with you here. This is a big part of why we think engineering metrics are a tough nut to crack: there’s a fair bit of research that suggests tying KPIs to compensation is a huge anti-pattern for certain types of work (chiefly those involving lots of novel problem solving). Highly recommend Daniel Pink’s “A Whole New Mind” on this topic; it’s pretty fascinating stuff.
- thebent 10y agoHighly recommend Daniel Pink’s “A Whole New Mind” on this topic Correction, the Pink title I was referring to was "Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" Pink does a great job unpacking research that demonstrates how this type of 'affect my pay' dynamic backfires for engineering.
- marssaxman 10y agoIf you use a metric like that to affect my pay, I will go find a different job, where I am treated with respect.