Comments on: 4 Tips for Becoming a Metrics Maven http://www.socialearth.org/4-tips-for-becoming-a-metrics-maven Social Entrepreneurship, Social Enterprise, Social Good Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:49:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mike Shoemaker http://www.socialearth.org/4-tips-for-becoming-a-metrics-maven/comment-page-1#comment-2357 Mike Shoemaker Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:54:11 +0000 http://www.socialearth.org/?p=7575#comment-2357 Great points. Thanks, Jose. I like the GPS analogy. Great points. Thanks, Jose. I like the GPS analogy.

]]> By: Mike Shoemaker http://www.socialearth.org/4-tips-for-becoming-a-metrics-maven/comment-page-1#comment-2172 Mike Shoemaker Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:54:11 +0000 http://www.socialearth.org/?p=7575#comment-2172 Great points. Thanks, Jose. I like the GPS analogy. Great points. Thanks, Jose. I like the GPS analogy.

]]> By: Jose Tormo http://www.socialearth.org/4-tips-for-becoming-a-metrics-maven/comment-page-1#comment-2160 Jose Tormo Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:24:42 +0000 http://www.socialearth.org/?p=7575#comment-2160 Metrics serve two purposes:<br>1. They inform on progress to the overarching strategic objectives. These are usually tough metrics to grab, but incredibly meaningful. In the microfinance world, this would include number of lives transformed or number of markets with liberalized bank lending practices. These metrics should be outward-directed, and closely tied to the long term goals for the organization. These metrics tell whether you are effective, and you should be plotting your progress toward the long term goals to ensure that your trajectory is adequate.<br>2. They inform on organizational health or capacity. These metrics are internal, and they tend to be activity-related. Again from microfinance, examples might include money raised, loans granted, articles generated, or spending to/beyond the budget. These metrics are important to tell you whether you are being efficient in your use of capabilities, but they do not tie directly to your results. <br><br>I view the latter as being closer to the dashboard metrics you discuss in your article - vehicle speed as well as engine speed tell you whether you are operating safely and within the capacity of the machine and the road, but you need another set of metrics - provided by your GPS - to tell you whether you are actually getting closer to your location and time goals. Metrics serve two purposes:
1. They inform on progress to the overarching strategic objectives. These are usually tough metrics to grab, but incredibly meaningful. In the microfinance world, this would include number of lives transformed or number of markets with liberalized bank lending practices. These metrics should be outward-directed, and closely tied to the long term goals for the organization. These metrics tell whether you are effective, and you should be plotting your progress toward the long term goals to ensure that your trajectory is adequate.
2. They inform on organizational health or capacity. These metrics are internal, and they tend to be activity-related. Again from microfinance, examples might include money raised, loans granted, articles generated, or spending to/beyond the budget. These metrics are important to tell you whether you are being efficient in your use of capabilities, but they do not tie directly to your results.

I view the latter as being closer to the dashboard metrics you discuss in your article – vehicle speed as well as engine speed tell you whether you are operating safely and within the capacity of the machine and the road, but you need another set of metrics – provided by your GPS – to tell you whether you are actually getting closer to your location and time goals.

]]> By: 3 Reasons to Be a Metrics Skeptic | SocialEarth http://www.socialearth.org/4-tips-for-becoming-a-metrics-maven/comment-page-1#comment-2116 3 Reasons to Be a Metrics Skeptic | SocialEarth Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:53:50 +0000 http://www.socialearth.org/?p=7575#comment-2116 [...] post covers three inherent challenges of metrics and reasons to proceed with caution. Tomorrow’s post will discuss how to make them work better for your social [...] [...] post covers three inherent challenges of metrics and reasons to proceed with caution. Tomorrow’s post will discuss how to make them work better for your social [...]

]]> By: Naiomi Bisram http://www.socialearth.org/4-tips-for-becoming-a-metrics-maven/comment-page-1#comment-2118 Naiomi Bisram Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:23:14 +0000 http://www.socialearth.org/?p=7575#comment-2118 Great article Mike and so true. As I work on the @BTFE program at General Mills, metrics are starting to drive all that I do and why I do it but I think it's so important to constantly re-examine the why's. Along the sames lines, we're trying to do the same with @SocialEarth! Great article Mike and so true. As I work on the @BTFE program at General Mills, metrics are starting to drive all that I do and why I do it but I think it's so important to constantly re-examine the why's. Along the sames lines, we're trying to do the same with @SocialEarth!

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