Designing Useful Measurement Systems
Design useful measurement systems by measuring outcomes not activities, using leading and lagging indicators together, and building in resistance to gaming.
All Metrics Measurement Evaluation Articles
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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.
Interpreting Data Without Fooling Yourself
Interpret data correctly by avoiding confirmation bias, p-hacking, confusing correlation with causation, and survivorship bias in your analysis.
KPIs Explained Without Buzzwords
KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are the few metrics that actually matter for your goals. Not all metrics are KPIs—only those that drive real decisions.
Measurement Bias Explained
Measurement bias: Systematic error in data collection distorting results consistently (not random noise—predictable direction). Types: 1) Selection bias (w.
Measurement Bias Explained
Measurement bias: Systematic error in data collection distorting results consistently (not random noise—predictable direction). Types: 1) Selection bias (w.
Quantitative vs Qualitative Metrics
Quantitative metrics measure numbers like revenue and time. Qualitative metrics assess quality like feedback and satisfaction. Both are needed together.
Vanity Metrics vs Meaningful Metrics
Vanity metrics look impressive but don't drive decisions: total users, page views. Meaningful metrics change behavior: active users, retention, revenue.
What Should Be Measured and Why
Measure what drives outcomes, not what's easy to measure. Focus on outcomes over activities, and use leading indicators to predict future results.
Why Measurement Changes Behavior
What gets measured gets optimized. Measurement creates visibility, accountability, and focuschanging behavior whether intended or not.
Why Metrics Often Mislead
Metrics mislead through gaming the numbers, proxy failure not representing what matters, context loss, and aggregation hiding important details.
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