Measuring Productivity: All Models Are Wrong, But Some Are Useful
“All models are wrong, but some are useful.” How Google makes sure their models for measuring productivity are useful and not problematic.
Mar 1, 2025
Productivity
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Abstract
Measuring productivity is equivalent to building a model. All models are wrong, but some are useful. Productivity models are often “worryingly selective” (wrong because of omissions). Worrying selectivity can be combated by taking a holistic approach that includes multiple measurements of multiple outcomes. Productivity models should include multiple outcomes, metrics, and methods.
Authors
- Ciera Jaspan
- Collin Green