Our project has several goals but no agreed measure of success. How do I fix that?
Unmeasurable objectivesReplace broad ambitions with observable outcomes and an agreed measurement method. Keep delivery outputs separate from the changes the organization expects those outputs to produce.
What to do now
- List the claimed outcomes
- Define a baseline and target for each
- Name the person who will measure it
- Obtain sponsor agreement on success criteria
When to escalate
Escalate when
Stakeholders cannot agree which outcome takes priority.
Who decides
The accountable sponsor
Example
A service team replaces improve efficiency with a target for median request turnaround, measured from the same event timestamps.
Mistake to avoid
Using launch date as the only success measure.
Prevent a repeat
At each stage decision, check that the expected outcome, owner and justification remain valid.
Suggested ApprovedFlow setup
- Projects
- Documents
- Approvals
Keep the decision brief with the project and request a recorded sponsor decision before the next commitment. See the platform
Related cases
- The project name means different things to different people. How do we align it?Ambiguous initiative definition
- A mandatory project has no financial return. How do we justify it?Incomplete investment criteria
- The project has no agreed closure criteria. How do I close it responsibly?Undefined project completion boundary
- Everyone is allocated one hundred percent to several projects. How do we fix the plan?Resource over-allocation