Goals - How to define and ensure success

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Goal are critcal, there are multiple goal systems and they have consequences. They are mechansims to deliver without micro managements.

Why goals

Answer what, why, and how do we know there.

Goals vs Systems

We don’t rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level of our systems. The value of goals is to help us to build and assess our systems.

Mission, Vision, Tenants, Goals

What vs How

Goal systems OKR vs SMART

SMART Goals

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time Bound

OKR

  • Objective
  • Key Results
    • Time bound is implicit in the OKR time range.

Philisophical Difference

Example OKRs

Measuring goals

You have to decide if metrics should be used for visiblity vs for evaluation and sticks.

If goals are used for compensation, become very conservative.

Results in extrinsic, not intrinsic motivation.

Extrinsic vs Intrinsic Motivations

Transparent Goals

Philosphy

Metrics Anti-Patterns

  • Measuring what is easy vs what is important

    • Looking for keys under steet light - but keys are over there, why looking here? Cuz that’s where we have light

  • Using a metric to flog instead of to learn

    • Sev’s are bad, people won’t create SEVs, will use alterate systems

  • Measuring a proxy, not intent

    • Goal, get rid of foxes. Solution, 5$ per fox paid; People started breeding foxes to put them down.

Wrong KPIs

  • For a library - Count books vs Customer Engagement

Input vs output metrics

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Culture vs Strategy

  • Culture lets you make decisions quickly and correctly

Process and Power

  • Process shifts power from the individual in the momennt, to the collective understanding of the organization.
  • This shifts from maximizing upside to minimizing downside
  • Sounds negative, but imagine it for a nuclear missile rockateer. Isn’t it great we ensure they the organization’s will is resolved. That they have double launch keys, etc