When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good…
““When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
When a metric becomes a policy target, it loses its effectiveness as an unbiased measure.
In simple terms: Targets corrupt measures.
Key Takeaway
Avoid turning measures into rigid goals.
Themes
measurement
policy
targets
bias
evaluation
Mood
analytical
cautious
critical
Type
theoretical
academic
When to use this quote
- government programs
- corporate KPIs
- education testing
Key Concepts
perverse incentives
goal displacement
performance metrics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do targets distort behavior?
- What alternatives preserve measurement integrity?
A Different Perspective
May ignore qualitative aspects.