Measurement and Management

Drawn into the stream
Of undefined illusion
Those diamond dreams
They can't disguise the truth
--Level 42

An old management saw goes, "what gets measured gets managed." What gets left off the end of that statement is "and often managed poorly." Human wiring problems along with preference for pleasure over pain are likely to drive usage of measures, particularly those meant to directly reflect performance effectiveness, that are incomplete, manipulated, ignored, or otherwise gamed to paint those with the most on the line in a better light.

Measures, whether they be for corporations, governments, or any institution, are likely to be biased rather than true.

The greater the stakes, the more likely measures will be manipulated. And the more biased the information will be.