In your quest to get things done, what do YOU measure?

Sitting down at the end of a day last weekend, I wrote this question in my journal:

What's better to measure? Activity or Results?

I'm sure everyone reading this blog entry (as well as the guy writing it!) has had a "busy day." A day that just flew by, where one thing led to the next, and before we knew it the sun had set on another day.

Whether a weekend with the family, a day in the office, or an off-site meeting with the team; how do you measure your productivity?

I can make the case (as I am sure you can too) for measuring both Activities and Results. However, I'm curious to know what you think: If you're trying to find out if you're getting the right things done, what do YOU measure...and, how do you do it?

Comments

[Mike Williams]

Jason,

This is an excellent thought provoking question. I have found that the "accumulation of experience" teaches you a lot. So in response to your question I would have to say "both Activity and Results." In my mind the equation looks something like this:

(Defined outcome) + (Activity) = (Results)

The next question is how much energy do I want to spend to get to the result? I am on a quest to get results with as little energy as possible. I am pursuing this in the spirit of a martial artist rather than a couch potato (except on Super Bowl Sunday!). That leaves energy available for other activities.

My pattern might look like this for events that require similar results:

Iteration 1:
(Defined outcome) + (Activity [20 steps]) = (Results X)

Question: What did this experience teach me? How can I get to the same results in fewer steps?

Iteration 2:
(Defined outcome) + (Activity [15 steps]) = (Results X)

Question: What did this experience teach me? How can I get to the same results in fewer steps?

Iteration 3:
(Defined outcome) + (Activity [10 steps]) = (Results X)

And so on...

[Adam]

Jason,

Love your blog.

Productivity is an abstract term to be measured in activities or results independently. In my line of work, middle school principal, my activities lead to results or lack of results. If I am unable to achieve the results necessary, I review my activities that got me to this point. My actions must be tied to results or change my actions to achieve the results necessary to "productive."
-Adam

[Mark Lloyd]

Hi Jason,

This is a really good question because there's an element of the counter-intuitive about it.

As far as I am concerned, the answer should change depending on what I want to achieve. So, if I am training I tend to measure activity i.e the fact I did a session of the sort I wanted to do, albeit, there may be a certain results element (eg time, heart rate etc). I only really look at results in the context of races.

That said, I am also aware that in my work life, I tend to measure activity more than results, because measuring activity is just so much easier. Focusing on results is a great deal more challenging,

Would be interested to know how you decide upon measuring results and quantifying the effort needed to get there.

[Jeff Singfiel]

Jason,
This is a great question. When I first read it I thought, "Ouch...I focus more on actions." But then I reflected on it some. Many of my tasks are generated on the fly during the day. But more are generated as I do my weekly review and daily "sweep" of my inbox and various lose ends.

As long as my weekly review is meaningful and my days aren't overly chaotic, my next actions focus on results.

I think the key to connecting your actions with results, as opposed to busyness, is to take time to regularly review our goals and projects. That way we pre-plan the work, allowing us to get into "cranking widgets" mode, but having the faith that the pile of widgets actually forms something meaningful.

Thanks for posing the question,

Jeff

[Jens Poder]

Hi Jason

I try start every morning at work with Daily Focus session. This consists of to activities:

1) Determine what outcomes I would like achieve by the end of the (I put this on wall next to me on large post-its)

2) What individual actions lead to these succesfull outcomes. (These I put on the board on smaller post-its)

And then I churn away. Every time I complete an action I put it in a "completed area".

If I manage to stay on target, almost all the targets for the day will be completed. Leaving from work on such a day is a really nice feeling.

I guess my primary focus is on measuring outcomes achieved. A lot of hours spend isn't necessarily gonna change a whole lot for your project.

- Jens Poder