What Gets Measured Gets Done: Why Tracking Work Matters
Ever wonder why some goals get crushed while others drift into the void of “still in progress”? The answer often lies in one simple truth: what gets measured gets done. Whether you’re leading a team or managing your own workload, measurement drives clarity, accountability, and momentum.
A Harvard Business Review study found that companies that align goals and track progress effectively are more than twice as likely to outperform their peers. Yet many professionals, even great managers, overlook the power of measurement in daily work.
At Leader Loop, we see measuring work not just as a performance habit, but as a leadership competency. An important one that unlocks efficiency, impact, and advancement.
Why Measurement Matters
Measurement isn’t just about numbers. It’s about intention. It tells your team (and yourself) that something matters enough to track. When you measure outcomes, behaviors start to align. Priorities become clear. And progress becomes visible.
Here’s why this matters in a big way:
Clarity
Measurement defines success. It removes ambiguity and helps people understand what “good” looks like. Whether you’re tracking response time, conversion rate, or project milestones, clarity leads to sharper execution.
Focus
With clear metrics, you’re less likely to chase distractions. Time and energy flow toward what’s being tracked, which means the right work gets done faster and better.
Motivation
People naturally want to improve what’s visible. Metrics create mini feedback loops that drive momentum. You don’t need a scoreboard to play the game, but it sure helps you win.
Accountability
Measurement creates shared ownership. When a team sees the same numbers, it builds transparency and collective responsibility.
Two Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: What Doesn’t Get Measured
Let’s say you lead a support team and one of your goals is “improve customer experience.” You mention it in meetings, you brainstorm ideas, and maybe even do a few trainings. But you don’t set any metrics around it.
Six months later, nothing’s changed. Why? Because no one knew how progress would be tracked. Was it fewer complaints? Higher satisfaction scores? Faster ticket resolution? Without measurement, your team was shooting in the dark.
Scenario 2: What Gets Measured
Now imagine you set a goal to “reduce response time to under 24 hours on all tickets” and you review that metric weekly. You start to notice trends. You spot bottlenecks. Team members start adjusting their workflows and celebrating improvements.
Because you measured it, the team prioritized it and improved it. You didn’t just talk about better service. You achieved it.
How to Make Measurement Part of Your Work
Even if you’re not in a numbers-heavy role, you can incorporate measurement in a simple, effective way.
Define Success Clearly
Start by asking: What does good look like? Then define it in a way that’s observable. “Be more responsive” becomes “reply to internal requests within 48 hours.”
Set Baselines and Targets
Understand where you are today and where you want to go. Improvement happens between those two points.
Share and Review Regularly
Bring visibility to your metrics. Whether through a dashboard, team huddles, or check-ins, measurement only works if it stays top of mind.
Measure Progress, Not Just Outcomes
If a goal takes time to hit, track progress indicators. For example, if launching a product, measure milestones like design approvals or content readiness.
The Gist
Whether you’re leading a team or managing your own tasks, measurement is your superpower. It turns ideas into outcomes. When you measure work, you give it structure, visibility, and momentum to drive results.
If you want to build a high-performing team or earn that next promotion, don’t just do the work. Track it. Improve it. Make it count.
Book rec: Measure What Matters by John Doerr is a great deep dive into how top companies use OKRs to drive focus and performance.
About Leader Loop: Leader Loop crafts actionable, competency-focused articles to accelerate your career growth. Our expert-written content provides practical strategies for leadership, team management, and professional development. Whether you’re a seasoned manager or an ambitious individual contributor, our articles deliver the insights you need to excel in today’s workplace.
