What Gets Measured Tends to Get Done

Reams of research, like this Blanchard report, shows that organizations and employees who set and monitor goals tend to out-perform those who don't. "What gets measured tends to get done," as the old saying goes. So we have a few questions for you and your nonprofit:

 Do you set and track annual goals for your programs and services?

Are your goals more focused on outputs (e.g. how much of something you offer) or outcomes (the impact you are making)?

Do your employees set individual goals each year? And do you evaluate your employees at year-end at least in part based on those goals?

How do you balance reliance on trusted relationships, with smart goal-setting and evaluation?

This article offers 17 concrete examples of the kinds of goals your nonprofit might consider setting.

While we believe that culture and strategy often trump goal-setting when it comes to long-term impact on an organization’s impact and trajectory, goals and a culture of accountability that they promote can be very valuable component of nonprofit management.