The Power (and Perils) of Performance Measures

Whether fair or not, your organization will be judged by its performance. And sometimes, your stakeholders—customers, clients, community partners, and others—may be evaluating your organization using different criteria than the ones you’re measuring. Because your value is ultimately shaped by how stakeholders perceive your performance, it’s imperative that you track and report on meaningful performance measures.

The pitfalls of performance measurement are well known. Many of us have worked in organizations where it felt like the only thing that mattered were the numbers, rather than the mission. Measures can also be difficult to track and may not tell us what we think they do. Outside factors often influence results beyond our control. And too often, we get distracted by measuring inputs or even outputs, while forgetting to measure outcomes—the very things that matter most.

But despite these challenges, performance measurement shouldn’t be dismissed. When done well, it’s a powerful tool that connects strategies to outcomes. It provides valuable insights that help us make adjustments and improve. Metrics also tell a compelling story, motivating employees and volunteers. And they add credibility, strengthening support from donors, grantors, partners, and the community.

If you feel like you’re spinning your wheels tracking and reporting measures that don’t lead to real impact, it may be time to consult an expert. You don’t need to waste valuable time chasing data that doesn’t serve your mission. At Mustful Strategic Consulting, we’ll help align your measures with your goals so you can focus on making a real impact—not just reporting numbers.