Metrics Are A Leadership Issue

I'm big on metrics these days. Metrics by themselves are innocuous. By definition, a metric is "a standard for measuring or evaluating something, especially one that uses figures or statistics." But the concept of “metrics” represents a wholesale change in philosophy, management practice, and leadership in health and human services. Metrics are a different form of accountability. Use of metrics presumes that we can quantify the value of health and human services. Metrics force new responsibilities on supervisors, managers, and executives. This makes metrics – and the strategic use of information – a leadership issue.

My metrics focus is driven by . . .