Goodhart’s Law states that when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.
 
Goodhart’s law can be applied to #Automation and #AI goals in the sense that if we only focus on specific metrics, we risk losing sight of the bigger picture and potentially distorting the true impact of the efforts being made.
 
For example, if a company or organization were only to focus on metrics like return on investment (ROI) or the number of automated
efforts, they may miss important aspects that cannot be easily quantified. Furthermore, this same company may focus then on the total number of automated efforts, which again will still drive ROI, yet can lead to a neglect of their own efforts around reusability, scalability, and build-in efficiencies for future efforts.
 
So what are some ways that Automation and AI teams could avoid missing metrics and accurately measure their success? Here are five tips that may help your leaders or stakeholders, know what to consider.
 
Consider a range of metrics, not just one or two.
 
Balance short-term metrics with long-term goals.
 
Ensure metrics are aligned with business objectives.
 
Encourage open communication and collaboration across teams to ensure metrics accurately reflect the impact of the efforts.
 
Regularly review and adjust metrics to ensure they remain relevant

Here are some goal-setting and aligned measures that you can implement within your own Automation or AI team, without leadership.
 
Consider the full range of benefits: Automation and AI can bring many benefits beyond increased efficiency, such as improved accuracy, reduced errors, increased scalability, and resilience. Consider all of these benefits when setting goals.
 
Measure the return on investment: Make sure to measure the actual return on investment from automation and AI, including both tangible and intangible benefits.
 
Focus on scalable solutions: When automating tasks, aim for solutions that are scalable and can be reused in other areas of the business, rather than one-off efforts that don’t have a long-term impact
 
Focus on the end goal: Always keep in mind the big picture and the impact of automation and AI on the business as a whole, rather than just on individual metrics.
 
Goodhart’s law reminds us to be mindful of the metrics we choose to focus on. When looking at automation and AI you want to ensure that you are measuring, and keeping an eye on what truly matters. By utilizing the above tips, your automation team or Center of Excellence (COE) can avoid missed metrics and guarantee the success your leadership is looking for, from the goals and aspirations the organization is looking to achieve.

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