The Pitfalls of Overreliance on Metrics

This chapter examines the drawbacks of relying excessively on metrics, using CompStat in policing as a prime example. It showcases how metrics can be manipulated for personal gain, leading to distorted data and a shift towards gaming the system rather than genuine improvement. The discussion emphasizes the need for a balance between metrics and informed judgment, cautioning against the negative consequences of solely using metrics as the primary measure of performance.