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It comes down to at some level the right measurement is useful. The problem is the middle manager owes the VP 12 measurements. The clever supervisor picks the
by Spooky23 3y ago
It comes down to at some level the right measurement is useful.
The problem is the middle manager owes the VP 12 measurements. The clever supervisor picks the easiest to achieve metrics possible.
- LaundroMat 3y ago"At some level" is the crucial point. But all too often metrics are a stand-in for the overall goal, and people forget their reductive nature, thereby allowing the system to optimize for the metrics instead of the underlying goal. Ultimately, the "some level" you refer to is a very basic level; even more basic than what one would intuitively think.
- Spooky23 3y agoAbsolutely. My employer had an influx of GE refugees about 15 years ago. They would pursue this nonsense with considerable zealotry. They brought with them the church of Jack Welch, which was ironic as that culture pretty much chewed them up and spat them all out.
- adolph 3y agoYes, because the metric by which the manager measures employment is getting paid. If the VP measures “goal accomplished” instead of “potential goal impact * % realized” then the VP will get easily accomplished worthless metrics.
- Spooky23 3y agoYup. One of my triumphs at a previous job is that we inserted “attempt” into a bunch of “do this” metrics. The dashboard was 100% green - we tried to do x, y, z. The auditors were laughing when they verified our attempts. But the bonuses were paid and all was well.