--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Measure what is important, don't make…" description: "\"Measure what is important, don't make important what you can measure\" — Robert McNamara" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/241/robert-mcnamara-12738_business_measure-what-is-important-don-t-make-imp_365203.png" --- # Measure what is important, don't make important what you… ![“Measure what is important, don't make important what you can measure” quote by Robert McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/241/robert-mcnamara-12738_business_measure-what-is-important-don-t-make-imp_365203.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/241/robert-mcnamara-12738_business_measure-what-is-important-don-t-make-imp_365203.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/241/robert-mcnamara-12738_business_measure-what-is-important-don-t-make-imp_365203.png) > “Measure what is important, don't make important what you can measure” [Robert McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mcnamara/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focusing on measurable metrics can mislead priorities, ignoring unquantifiable values. **In simple terms:** Numbers can mislead priorities. Key Takeaway Balance metrics with qualitative judgment. Themes measurement policy priorities leadership Mood critical thoughtful Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - corporate strategy - government budgeting - personal goal setting Key Concepts performance indicators strategic planning decision making Questions to Reflect On - What important things are hard to measure? - How can we value the unmeasurable? A Different Perspective Metrics may ignore important intangible factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) ## Related quotes > [“No test can measure anything important.   On”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-shihab-nye/no-test-can-measure-anything-important-on/) [Naomi Shihab Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-shihab-nye/) > [“It is deeply ironic that while America was hemming and hawing over whether to go metric on account of its shrinking place in world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bemelmans-marciano/it-is-deeply-ironic-that-while-america-was-hemming-and-hawing-over/) [John Bemelmans Marciano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bemelmans-marciano/) > [Money's only important when you don't have any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sting/money-s-only-important-when-you-don-t-have-any/) [Sting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sting/) > [It's important that you don't lie to yourself. 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