Metrics

September 2026

• Sep 28, 2026ConceptsLeading vs Lagging Indicators ExplainedLagging indicators report outcomes after the fact while leading indicators point to what comes next. Learn to choose both and avoid the common traps.7 MIN745

June 2026

• Jun 22, 2026ConceptsGoodhart's Law: When a Measure Becomes a TargetGoodhart's Law explained through its origin in monetary policy, Strathern's famous phrasing, the four flavors of Goodhart, surrogation, reward hacking, and how to defend against it.10 MIN1.1k

February 2026

• Feb 27, 2026ConceptsMeasuring Success: Metrics vs KPIs in OrganizationsMetrics vs KPIs: Metrics measure anything; KPIs measure what matters for goals. Leading indicators predict future; lagging indicators show past...20 MIN9.8k
• Feb 10, 2026ConceptsHow Goodhart's Law Breaks MetricsWhen a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure. People optimize for metrics, not goals, creating distortion and gaming.21 MIN39.4k
• Feb 8, 2026ConceptsKPIs Explained Without BuzzwordsKPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are the few metrics that actually matter for your goals. Not all metrics are KPIs, only those that drive real...18 MIN2.3k
• Feb 6, 2026ConceptsVanity Metrics vs Meaningful MetricsVanity metrics look impressive but don't drive decisions: total users, page views. Meaningful metrics change behavior: active users, retention,...18 MIN14.4k
• Feb 6, 2026ConceptsQuantitative vs Qualitative MetricsQuantitative metrics measure numbers like revenue and time. Qualitative metrics assess quality like feedback and satisfaction.18 MIN37.8k
• Feb 5, 2026ConceptsWhy Metrics Often MisleadMetrics mislead through gaming the numbers, proxy failure not representing what matters, context loss, and aggregation hiding important details.21 MIN5.5k
• Feb 5, 2026ConceptsWhat Should Be Measured and WhyMeasure what drives outcomes, not what's easy to measure. Focus on outcomes over activities, and use leading indicators to predict future results.20 MIN47.4k

December 2025

• Dec 2, 2025TechnologyUnderstanding Analytics Tools for Your Data NeedsAnalytics tool categories: Web analytics for traffic and behavior, product analytics for user actions, business intelligence for reporting and...21 MIN43.5k

October 2025

• Oct 26, 2025Work SkillsProductivity Metrics: Measuring Impact Beyond ActivityProductivity metrics: measure outcomes and results achieved, not activities like hours worked or tasks completed. Focus on impact, not busyness.20 MIN4.8k
• Oct 7, 2025Work SkillsKey Project Metrics That Predict SuccessMost project dashboards track vanity numbers that hide real problems. Learn which metrics predict delivery and which ones you are wasting time...15 MIN33.4k

August 2025

• Aug 17, 2025IdeasKey Issues in Measurement and MetricsMeasurement problems: measuring easy metrics instead of important ones like lines of code versus value, and Goodhart's Law where metrics become...20 MIN35.1k

July 2025

• Jul 18, 2025ExplainersMetrics and Measurement: Importance in PerformanceMetrics quantify performance. They create visibility, enable improvement through tracking, establish accountability, and drive behavior toward...32 MIN42.1k
• Jul 15, 2025ExplainersMetrics That Destroyed Performance: Case StudiesUK hospitals held patients in ambulances to meet four-hour emergency room targets. Teaching to test scores narrowed education focus.35 MIN26.2k
• Jul 10, 2025ExplainersMetrics Design ChecklistMetrics design checklist: Is it aligned with goals? Actionable and influenceable? Gameable by cheating? Leading or lagging indicator?23 MIN32.3k
• Jul 2, 2025ExplainersKPIs vs OKRs: Key Differences ExploredKPIs measure ongoing operational health with stable metrics. OKRs drive ambitious goals through objectives and key results focused on growth and...22 MIN30.6k

June 2025

• Jun 24, 2025ExplainersHow Metrics Influence BehaviorMetrics create visibility making performance transparent. Accountability follows visibility.26 MIN2.1k
• Jun 19, 2025ExplainersThe Evolution of Metrics in Science and ManagementScientific management quantified work. Accounting standardized financial measurement. Modern analytics expanded to all aspects of organizational...28 MIN29.2k
• Jun 16, 2025ExplainersStep-by-Step: Designing Effective MetricsKeep simple with three to five key metrics. Make actionable so measurement drives improvement. Align with goals avoiding distortion.36 MIN25.8k

May 2025

• May 17, 2025TechnologyWhat Is a KPI: Key Performance Indicators ExplainedA KPI (Key Performance Indicator) is a measurable value that shows how effectively an organization is achieving its most important goals.24 MIN14.6k

October 2024

• Oct 22, 2024ConceptsUnderstanding Goodhart's Law and Its ConsequencesGoodhart's Law states that when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure. Learn how gaming metrics destroys value, and how to...21 MIN6.2k

December 2023

• Dec 19, 2023ConceptsAnalyzing Campbell's Law and Its ImplicationsCampbell's Law states that the more a quantitative measure is used for high-stakes decisions, the more it corrupts the process it was meant to...16 MIN7.1k

February 2023

• Feb 10, 2023TechnologyThe Net Promoter Score (NPS): Does It Work?NPS measures customer loyalty with a single question. Learn how it's calculated, what the research says about its validity, and when to use...18 MIN3.7k

August 2022

• Aug 4, 2022Work SkillsThe Cobra Effect: Risks in Gaming MetricsWhen employees optimize for KPIs instead of goals, metrics lose their meaning. Learn how metric gaming happens, why it's rational, and how to...17 MIN3.1k