Measure the right things. It's not enough just to measure-you have to measure the right things.
A common measurement trap is to measure something because it's "interesting." If knowing a measurement won't change anything (e.g., help you make a decision, verify an assumption or prove the problem is solved), then don't waste your time measuring it.
Another common trap in defining the problem success criteria is to lose the direct connection to the problem. Somehow it's very easy to unintentionally expand the problem with general improvements that are good things to do, but aren't really necessary to solve the problem at hand.
Avoid these traps: once you decide to measure something always check back by asking yourself exactly what you will do with the results. Then ask the question in reverse: if you have a particular result, will it really enable you to make your decision, verify that assumption, etc.
With problem success criteria, cross-check your proposed measurements with your problem description. Everything in the problem description should be measured by the success criteria. Everything in the success criteria should measure some aspect of the problem presented in the problem description. If they don't match, your measurements are either incomplete, you're measuring something unnecessary, or your problem description isn't quite right.
HINT: "Everything necessary, nothing extraneous" should be your watchword. Measuring the right things will help make sure you solve the problem completely and don't get sidetracked into doing other things that won't help make this problem go away.
copyright 2005. Jeanne Sawyer. All Rights Reserved.
Jeanne Sawyer is an author, consultant, trainer and coach who helps her clients solve expensive, chronic problems, such as those that cause operational disruptions and cause customers to take their business elsewhere. These tips are excerpted from her book, When Stuff Happens: A Practical Guide to Solving Problems Permanently. Find out about it, and get more free information on problem solving at her web site: http://www.sawyerpartnership.com/.
Goals are critically important for the success of a meeting.... Read More
Marriages and corporate mergers in America have at least one... Read More
GROUP DECISION MAKING -- IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM: Tell specifically what... Read More
Wow! You're brilliant! You have a great idea. You've looked... Read More
I talked with a group of internal consultants last week... Read More
Hiring employees is a huge responsibility. Before hiring anyone, be... Read More
I once worked in a place where there were three... Read More
GET TO KNOW YOUR ORGANIZATION: If you don't understand an... Read More
Recently, I attended a webinar with nearly 400 other Chief... Read More
Want to get more from your people, but you don't... Read More
Usually, we're most interested in communicating outwardly; getting our messages... Read More
There is a pervasive assumption that small firms are more... Read More
The perpetrators of the recent spate of financial frauds in... Read More
We get invited to attend so many "meetings" but do... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Many retailers do not have good internal controls in place... Read More
We all know people who are like human dynamos. They... Read More
Hiring the first personal business assistant is an exciting time... Read More
Many work environments now are open plan, with only a... Read More
"It is not the strongest species that survives, nor the... Read More
Every small to mid-sized business owner would love to know... Read More
Employees truly deserve paid vacations. Theystruggle through stressful jobs most... Read More
How do you as a manager, supervisor or team leader... Read More
Traditionally, in American businesses, the same person occupies the role... Read More
Did you know there are 5 types of... Read More
A 'dirt-world' retail business I used to manage had a... Read More
The company decided to develop and implement an improvement program.... Read More
1) Where is the agenda? A meeting without an agenda... Read More
Even in today's still uncertain economic times, there are companies... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Many of you will recognise this quote from the 1960s... Read More
MSDS SHEETSMSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheets. MSDS sheets... Read More
Researchers have undertaken numerous studies to look at the connection... Read More
The workplace has traditionally been a dangerous place. Very early... Read More
Q: I started my small business about a year ago... Read More
"We are so different and individualistic that we can't work... Read More
Meetings can be the life-blood of an organisation or the... Read More
Introducing a learning culture into organisations can be difficult at... Read More
You know the drill - the ridiculous deadlines, the relentless... Read More
Here's a brief story I encountered while leaving Newark International... Read More
Have you ever worked with someone who always seemed to... Read More
Ask almost any business leader how to most effectively develop... Read More
Have you ever hired someone who did not live up... Read More
Hiring employees is a huge responsibility. Before hiring anyone, be... Read More
The story of the emperor's new clothes is a fairy... Read More
Increasing shareholder value is the most important driver for organisations... Read More
Virtually any type of organizational change involves role transitions of... Read More
Driving down the road our eyes frequently scan the vital... Read More
Your impact at meetings will determine in a big way... Read More
Today, companies have an ever-expanding list of options available to... Read More
Unfortunately, there are managers who define public relations by its... Read More
Having an agenda template that works well for you, week... Read More
It is becoming more common for employers to require employees... Read More
In part one of this article I told you about... Read More
Today there is great weight put on a person's attitude.... Read More
It was 2.30 am. It was cold and dark and... Read More
Building rapport is all about creating a relationship, in the... Read More
THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW MEETING: It's a fact - most supervisors... Read More
Most executives view offshore outsourcing most of all as a... Read More
Almost, if not all organisations have them, they've been around... Read More
Kicking Winning Business Goals The competition for business... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
In today's business environment with increases in staff reductions and... Read More
PREPARING EMPLOYEES FOR THE PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL INTERVIEWS: Remind employees to... Read More
This short story, Coworkers Collaborate to Complete Successful Initiative, was... Read More
It is getting harder to run a business for a... Read More
Business Management |