How Goodhart's Law Breaks Metrics
When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure. People optimize for metrics, not goals, creating distortion and gaming.
January 2026
Step-by-Step: Analyzing Incentive Structures
Map what's rewarded with bonuses and recognition. Identify what's punished with penalties and criticism. Compare stated versus actual incentives.
December 2025
Economic Laws Explained Simply
Diminishing returns means more input yields less output over time. Supply and demand set prices. Opportunity cost is the next best alternative foregone.
October 2025
Incentive Design Failures Explained
Soviet nail factory paid by weight produced useless heavy nails. Cobra breeding bounty in India increased cobras. Metrics drive unintended gaming.
How Incentives Shape Outcomes
Incentives direct attention and effort toward rewarded behaviors. They signal importance and create competition. Misaligned incentives cause dysfunction.
How Metrics Influence Behavior
Metrics create visibility making performance transparent. Accountability follows visibility. They enable improvement but encourage gaming the measures.