It goes “When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.” How does that work in practice?
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In practice, it means that when a particular metric or measurement is used as the sole target or goal, people may focus solely on achieving that target, often at the expense of other important factors or the overall purpose of the measure.
For example, in a business setting, if profit margin is set as the sole target, employees may prioritize short-term gains or cut corners to meet that target, even if it harms long-term sustainability or customer satisfaction.
In essence, when a measure becomes the primary target, people may start optimizing for that measure without considering broader implications or the original intent of the measure. This can lead to distorted priorities and unintended consequences.
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