Tyranny of Metrics

The obsession with quantifying human performance threatens business, medicine, education, government, and the quality of our lives. In this brief book, Jerry Muller uncovers the damage metrics are causing and shows how we can begin to fix the problem. He explains why paying for measured performance doesn't work, why surgical scorecards may increase deaths, and when and how to use them.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2019
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The obsession with quantifying human performance poses a significant threat to various domains, including business, medicine, education, and government. This belief has permeated organizations of all kinds, leading to a focus on measuring performance, publicizing the results, and distributing rewards based solely on numerical metrics. While the intention behind this approach is to infuse scientific rigor into the evaluation process, we have inadvertently shifted our attention from measuring performance to fixating on measuring itself. This misguided obsession threatens the quality of our organizations and ultimately impacts the well-being of individuals.

In his concise and insightful book, Jerry Muller delves into the detrimental effects of metrics and offers practical solutions for addressing this problem. Drawing from a wide range of fields, including business, medicine, education, and government, Muller provides compelling examples of how metrics can harm and why paying for measured performance often fails to yield desired outcomes. He also highlights the potential benefits of metrics when used in conjunction with judgment based on personal experience.

The book provides an essential corrective to the harmful trend that is increasingly affecting us all. It serves as a wake-up call to organizations and individuals who have fallen prey to the tyranny of metrics. By recognizing the dangers and limitations of quantification, we can regain a sense of balance and focus on the values and principles that truly matter in our work and personal lives.

In conclusion, the obsession with quantifying human performance threatens the quality of our organizations, lives, and society as a whole. Jerry Muller's book provides a valuable roadmap for overcoming this threat and restoring a sense of integrity and purpose to our endeavors. By embracing a metrics-based approach that is complemented by judgment and personal experience, we can achieve greater success and fulfillment in our professional and personal lives.

Weight: 258g
Dimension: 134 x 202 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691191911