Tag Archives: targets

Finding the Source

Posted on April 18, 2013 by InspGuilfoyle

As I go about my formal and informal research into the effects of target-driven performance management, I regularly have conversations with people at all levels of organisations. One thing I’ve found is that the people at the very top of … Continue reading →

Posted in Systems thinking | Tagged assumptions, binary comparisons, blame, command and control, decision making, management, measures, organisational culture, performance management, police, systems thinking, targets | 6 Comments

Ministry of Silly Systems

Posted on April 10, 2013 by InspGuilfoyle

Recently, I had cause to write to a Government department to ask a question. I knew my query was in good hands as soon as I received an automated reply advising me of their service level agreement for replying to … Continue reading →

Posted in Systems thinking | Tagged demand, flow, purpose, systems thinking, targets, variety, waste | 8 Comments

One Thing Leads To Another

Posted on March 27, 2013 by InspGuilfoyle

Being as I know you love my artwork, I thought I’d treat you to this pictorial representation of a particularly nasty little cycle that is behind a lot of serious organisational failures. Look at the sort of stuff that starts … Continue reading →

Posted in Systems thinking | Tagged blame, command and control, cover your back, criticism, management, nhs, performance management, short blog post, systems thinking, targets | 11 Comments

Play Your Cards Right

Posted on March 24, 2013 by InspGuilfoyle

Remember the classic TV game show ‘Play Your Cards Right’? (Showing my age now). If not, then the basic premise was to predict whether each card in a row was higher or lower than the previous one. If the contestant … Continue reading →

Posted in Systems thinking | Tagged binary comparisons, performance measurement, prediction, systems thinking, targets, variation | 4 Comments

Do Something Different

Posted on March 15, 2013 by InspGuilfoyle

I recently came across this blog post by Bernard Rix, the Acting Chief Executive of the Confederation of Police and Crime Commissioners (CoPaCC). Bernard has been thematically analysing the draft Police and Crime Plans that Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are … Continue reading →

Posted in Systems thinking | Tagged measures, pcc, performance management, police and crime commissioner, police and crime plan, systems thinking, targets | 8 Comments

Must Try Harder

Posted on March 5, 2013 by InspGuilfoyle

Remember the heady days of last year’s ‘Bad Performance Measurement On Tour’ blog posts, where objects of ridicule such as targets for dog poo collection were cruelly exposed and roundly mocked for your delectation? Well, that series sparked a call-to-arms for … Continue reading →

Posted in Systems thinking | Tagged comparisons, education, gaming, league tables, management, performance management, schools, systems thinking, targets, teaching | 6 Comments

A System Fit For Heroes

Posted on March 3, 2013 by InspGuilfoyle

When I was 10, my favourite TV series was ‘Cover Up’. Recently I even found the title sequence on Youtube, with its soundtrack of Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out for a Hero. Class! (I actually remember buying the 7″ single with … Continue reading →

Posted in Systems thinking | Tagged command and control, management, systems, systems thinking, targets, vietnam, war | 3 Comments

On Purpose

Posted on February 16, 2013 by InspGuilfoyle

This machine is a Purpose Obfuscation O-meter. (Work out the acronym for yourself). I know you love my drawings. A lot of organisations use these devices. This is how they work: A customer or service user leans towards the ‘In’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Systems thinking | Tagged command and control, purpose, systems thinking, targets | 12 Comments

Spot The Difference

Posted on January 31, 2013 by InspGuilfoyle

Sometimes when I say this… …people hear this: Not being able to differentiate between targets, measures and priorities is a deadly obstacle to effective performance. Let me explain why… Targets First of all, if you’ve ever met me, heard me … Continue reading →

Posted in Systems thinking | Tagged assumptions, binary comparisons, control charts, data, deming, management, measures, performance management, police, priorities, purpose, systems, systems thinking, targets | 25 Comments

Oh Deer

Posted on January 7, 2013 by InspGuilfoyle

In the film ‘Stand by Me’ (which I saw again yesterday, for the first time in years), there’s a scene where a young lad out camping with his friends sees a deer early one morning. I won’t spoil the storyline, … Continue reading →

Posted in Systems thinking | Tagged assumptions, deming, extrinsic, intrinsic, management, motivation, performance management, police, public service, systems, systems thinking, targets | 5 Comments