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OPS.21:2 - Problem

An easily measured quantity can become the purpose of the work. Targets can also be selected by copying last year’s number, dividing an organization-wide ratio or bargaining down an ambition until it is easy to exceed. These moves can produce precise numbers without an explanation of why reaching them would help the recipients.

An ambitious target creates a different difficulty. It can identify a worthwhile gap while exceeding the present forecast or resources. Treating it as a promise conceals that gap; restricting every ambition to today’s expected output can conceal useful improvement. The practitioner needs to construct the aim and its use together.