Measure What Matters

Learning goal

Measure what matters means tracking outcomes that affect the goal, not vanity metrics. Use data to decide; do not use data only to justify after the fact.

Who

Anyone interested in improving their decision-making process.

What

Identify metrics that reflect the goal. Avoid vanity metrics.

Where

In any organization or team.

When

Anytime you need to make a decision.

Why it matters

Vanity metrics mislead. Data enables better decisions. Opinion ends where data begins.

How

1. Identify metrics that directly reflect the goal.
2. Avoid vanity metrics.
3. Use data to decide, not to justify after the fact.

Guided exercise

1. Identify three vanity metrics in your industry.
2. Explain why they are vanity metrics.
3. Suggest three alternative metrics that better reflect the goal.

Independent exercise

Take 30 minutes to research three common vanity metrics in your industry. Explain why they are vanity metrics and suggest three alternative metrics that better reflect the goal.

Self-check

• You can explain the key idea in one sentence.
• You have one concrete move to do today.

Bibliography (sources used)

• Link to source 1
• Link to source 2

Read more (optional)

To dive deeper into the topic, read the following resources:

• Full article
• Blog post

Today

Short localized summary with one clear call to open the lesson.

Today's move

For one goal, name one metric that directly reflects success. Define how you will get the data and how often you will check it.