If you can't measure it, you can't improve it
When setting goals or trying to improve performance
Understanding the Rule
This management principle emphasizes the importance of quantifying your objectives and progress. Without concrete metrics, you're operating on assumptions and feelings rather than facts. Measurement provides clarity, accountability, and a clear path to improvement.
What Happens When You Break It
Without measurement, you waste time on ineffective strategies, miss opportunities for optimization, and can't demonstrate value or progress. Teams become misaligned, and resources are allocated inefficiently based on opinions rather than data.
Benefits of Following This Rule
Measuring performance enables continuous improvement, helps you prioritize efforts effectively, provides accountability, allows you to celebrate wins with concrete evidence, and makes it easier to replicate success.