Comment by brabel
17 hours ago
I think metrics can be used for good. For example we are constantly try to improve our dev experience, but how do you know if you are improving anything? Developers are notably inaccurate in reporting efficiency. Unfortunately flying blind is not really an option when you need to justify paying for tools that claim to improve productivity.
Surely no data is better than bad data? What's the point of a metric that doesn't measure anything tied to the objective reality of what it is that you're measuring?
All I see tools like this doing is getting people to manipulate the metrics, while at the same time producing enormous amounts of worker alienation. I'd even speculate the demoralising effects of workplace surveillance schemes undermine the alleged productivity benefits.
You are essentially saying there’s only bad data and efforts like those in this post are always bad. Ask yourself why you would hold this position regarding this topic but likely not for anything else. Hint: it has to do with that saying, it’s hard to see something when your job depends on you not seeing it.
I see more of people using data and bad metrics to justify whatever they want to push rather than genuinely trying to improve conditions.
I don't have any data to prove this :)