Measures of Success is about improving results by improving the way we interpret data. Too many organizations react to noise, chase arbitrary targets, and mistake random variation for meaningful change—creating fear, waste, and poor decisions instead of learning.
These posts explore better ways to use metrics through Lean thinking, statistical thinking, and Process Behavior Charts. Drawing heavily from the ideas in my book Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More, this archive focuses on understanding variation, avoiding overreaction, and helping leaders ask better questions of their data—so improvement efforts are grounded in reality, not frustration.
I say it a lot, but two data points are not a trend. I didn’t invent that idea, of course, but I’ve tried to help leaders and organizations stop reacting to every up-and-down in a metric through the methods I…
As I talked about in this video, I was supposed to do a half-day workshop on Measures of Success for the annual Shingo Conference in Orlando last month. Well, we know why that wasn’t able to happen. The Shingo Institute…
Being in work from home mode, I alternate from thinking and writing about the current crisis and trying to figure out how to be helpful to people remotely. One idea is that I’d like to facilitate an online book study…
I realize there’s a lot of serious stuff going on in the world… and that’s weighing on my mind a ton, which is one reason I haven’t been blogging quite as much recently. But, if you’ll forgive the indulgence, I’m…
Thanks to the Shingo Institute for inviting me to facilitate a half-day workshop at the Shingo Conference, being held this year in Orlando, April 16 and 17 dates to be determined. The workshop covers concepts and methods from my book…
TL;DR: Year-over-year charts look analytical, but they often hide routine variation and invite overreaction. Process Behavior Charts make real improvement–and real risk–visible without guesswork. The main subject of my book Measures of Success is “Process Behavior Charts” (see more in…
I’d like to thank CFO Magazine (their CFO.com website) for publishing my article: “Break the Bad Habit of Overreacting to Metrics“ If you’ve read my book Measures of Success, you will recognize the advice that I give here. But, I…
As I’ve shared before, one of my goals with my book Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More was to reach audiences that haven’t heard of “Process Behavior Charts” (aka Control Charts or Statistical Process Control). In December,…
TL;DR: Gordon Deal and Mark Graban discuss why leaders overreact to routine ups and downs in metrics-and how Process Behavior Charts help filter noise, identify real signals, and improve decisions without wasted effort or stress. Why Leaders Overreact to Metrics…
The last time I ran a short-term book sale — lowering the Kindle book price of Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More to $2.99 — I was curious what would happen. I saw a short-term spike in…
Each time I teach my “Measures of Success” workshop for Catalysis at one of their events, they give me feedback scores from the attendees. I try to practice what I preach — around reflection, the voice of the customer, continuous…
tl;dr If a Process Behavior Chart shows many points outside the limits, the issue is often the data–not the chart. Plotting moving averages instead of actual data distorts variation and creates false signals. Process Behavior Charts work best with raw,…
