--- title: "ARTICLE | The Tyranny of Metrics: A Review by Mark Cabaj" description: This article features Mark Cabaj reviewing expert Jerry Z Muller book, The Tyranny of Metrics, which concerns the practice of reducing things like individual and organizational performance to standardized metrics. image: https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Photos/Image%20Library/tyranny%20of%20metrics.jpg --- [![20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Administration/Tamarack%20Logos/20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png?width=200&height=47&name=20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png "20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange")](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) # Resource Library ![tyranny of metrics](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Photos/Image%20Library/tyranny%20of%20metrics.jpg?width=3631&name=tyranny%20of%20metrics.jpg "tyranny of metrics") [![View the Article](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/316071/dc3aa025-3410-49b3-9f74-93d8f86ad625.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/316071/dc3aa025-3410-49b3-9f74-93d8f86ad625) # ARTICLE | The Tyranny of Metrics: A Review by Mark Cabaj [Evaluating Community Impact](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/topic/evaluating-community-impact), [Tools](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/topic/tools), [Evaluation](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/topic/evaluation) This article features Mark Cabaj reviewing expert Jerry Z Muller's book "The Tyranny of Metrics" which concerns the practice of reducing things like individual and organizational performance to standardized metrics.  While Muller is not staunchly anti-metric, and sees the benefit of pulling quantitative data in support of performance, he takes on three main beliefs - Outcomes and performance can be reduced to standardized measurements even in complex challenges - Making metrics public or transparent increases the chances that institutions will be accountable for their actions and results. - The best way to motivate people is by attaching financial and reputational reward and penalties to their ability to meet quantifiable performance targets. Mark's article is a great introduction to Muller's thinking, and provides a practical basis for ensuring that our metrics are a helpful tool, rather than a hindrance, towards our goal of making the world a better place. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![the Tamarack Institute](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Screen_Shot_2016-05-26_at_4.54.16_PM.png) ### By [the Tamarack Institute](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/author/tamarack-institute) The Tamarack Institute is a connected force of more than 40,000 engaged practitioners and policymakers who work collaboratively to advance positive community change. 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