[blurker]

I too have come to think that no simple metrics will ever replace the need for a competent manager who can use intangible, subjective context to evaluate their team. I think that even if you get some metrics that work well initially, the system will change such that the metric becomes the goal and the metrics then become much less effective.

[qbasic_forever]

You still have a goal that people are optimizing for though--how to increase that intangible, subjective measure known only to the manager. It leads to people optimizing for talking about the stuff they do more, showcasing their accomplishments, and in bad extremes brown-nosing, infighting and sabotage of others work. Whether any of those behaviors lead to a better product or outcome for the company is something to strongly consider.

[52-6F-62]

Well put. I couldn't agree more.

Humans and relationships are nuanced, including work relationships and the responsibilities and expectations there. It's best to treat them as they are rather than trying to shoehorn those things into such a sweet little checkbox.

Frameworks are alright, but they need flexibility built in. They certainly shouldn't be treated as religiously as they are commonly.