The Power of Granularity in Performance Measurement

Stacey Barr: Practical Performance Measurement Stacey Barr is a specialist in strategic performance measurement and evidence-based leadership. She is the creator of PuMP®, a performance measurement methodology that routinely transforms measurement cynics into its greatest advocates. Stacey is also the author of two books, Practical Performance Measurement: Using the PuMP® Blueprint for Fast, Easy, and Engaging KPIs*, and Prove It!: How to Create a High Performance Culture and Measurable Success*. In this conversation, Stacey and I discussed some of the common mistakes that leaders and organizations make with performance measurement. We also explore what well-formulated performance measures have. Plus, Stacey has kindly made her book available for free to our listening audience. Key Points Common mistakes in performance measurement: Initiatives are not performance measures Events or milestones are not performance measures Measures of activity completion are not performance measures Sources of data are not performance measures A few vague words don’t make a performance measure Well-formulated performance measures have: A method of comparison that we can use to tell whether performance is good or not A base of objective evidence that gives a reasonably accurate and reliable picture of current performance A sufficient degree of granularity to detect small but important changes in performance to which we should respond Relevance to the organization’s priorities The ability to show changes in performance levels over time, giving us enough context to avoid short-sightedness Resources Mentioned Download a free copy of Stacey’s book, Practical Performance Measurement The PuMP® Approach to Performance Measurement and KPIs Book Notes Download my highlights from Practical Performance Measurement in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Actually Move Numbers, with Chris McChesney (episode 294) How to Leverage People Analytics, with Jenny Dearborn (episode 323) The Truth and Lies of Performance Management, with Michael Bungay Stanier (episode 361) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.