STRATEGYWeeks to result

Lead Measure Builder Tool

Create effective lead measures

Problem it solves

unclear strategic direction

Best for

Teams and organizations looking to improve performance

Not ideal for

Individuals or small groups without clear goals

Overview

Why this framework exists

The Lead Measure Builder Tool is a framework for creating effective lead measures that drive achievement of a Wildly Important Goal (WIG). It involves brainstorming ideas, measuring those ideas, ranking them in order of impact, testing them against a checklist, and writing final lead measures. The tool helps teams create a clear and concise strategy for improving performance and delivering great results.

Core principles

4 total
  1. Gather rich input on lead measures from the team and others
  2. Ensure lead measures are predictive and influenceable
  3. Make sure lead measures are truly measurable and worth pursuing
  4. Use simple verbs and quantify measures, including quality measures

Steps

6 steps
  1. Insert the Wildly Important Goal and lag measure
    Start by inserting the WIG and lag measure into the top box of the Lead Measure Builder Tool. This will help focus the team on the goal and the metrics that will be used to measure success.
    Pro tipMake sure the WIG is clear and concise, and that the lag measure is well-defined and measurable.
    WarningAvoid using vague or poorly defined WIGs or lag measures, as this can lead to confusion and ineffective lead measures.
  2. Brainstorm ideas for lead measures
    Brainstorm a list of potential lead measures that could drive achievement of the WIG. This should include a wide range of ideas, and should involve input from the team and others.
    Pro tipUse a variety of techniques, such as mind mapping or brainstorming sessions, to generate a large number of ideas.
    WarningAvoid limiting the brainstorming session to only a few ideas, as this can lead to a lack of creativity and ineffective lead measures.
  3. Brainstorm methods for measuring those ideas
    For each potential lead measure, brainstorm methods for measuring it. This could include metrics such as frequency, quality, or quantity.
    Pro tipMake sure the measurement methods are clear and concise, and that they align with the WIG and lag measure.
    WarningAvoid using measurement methods that are poorly defined or difficult to track, as this can lead to confusion and ineffective lead measures.
  4. Rank in order of impact on the WIG
    Rank the potential lead measures in order of their potential impact on the WIG. This will help the team focus on the most effective lead measures.
    Pro tipUse a variety of criteria, such as the potential impact on the lag measure or the ease of implementation, to rank the lead measures.
    WarningAvoid ranking lead measures solely on their ease of implementation, as this can lead to ineffective lead measures.
  5. Test your ideas against the checklist
    Test the potential lead measures against a checklist of criteria, such as whether they are predictive, influenceable, and measurable. This will help the team ensure that the lead measures are effective and will drive achievement of the WIG.
    Pro tipUse a variety of criteria, such as the potential impact on the lag measure or the ease of implementation, to test the lead measures.
    WarningAvoid using a checklist that is too narrow or too broad, as this can lead to ineffective lead measures.
  6. Write your final lead measures
    Write the final lead measures, based on the results of the brainstorming and testing process. This will help the team create a clear and concise strategy for improving performance and delivering great results.
    Pro tipMake sure the lead measures are clear and concise, and that they align with the WIG and lag measure.
    WarningAvoid using lead measures that are poorly defined or difficult to track, as this can lead to confusion and ineffective lead measures.

Checklist

Saved in your browser

Examples

2 cases
Example 1: Using the Lead Measure Builder Tool to improve sales performance

A sales team uses the Lead Measure Builder Tool to create effective lead measures that drive achievement of a WIG to increase sales revenue. The team brainstorms ideas, measures those ideas, ranks them in order of impact, tests them against a checklist, and writes final lead measures. The team then uses the lead measures to improve sales performance and achieve the WIG.

OutcomeThe sales team achieves a significant increase in sales revenue, and the lead measures are found to be effective in driving achievement of the WIG.
Example 2: Using the Lead Measure Builder Tool to improve customer satisfaction

A customer service team uses the Lead Measure Builder Tool to create effective lead measures that drive achievement of a WIG to improve customer satisfaction. The team brainstorms ideas, measures those ideas, ranks them in order of impact, tests them against a checklist, and writes final lead measures. The team then uses the lead measures to improve customer satisfaction and achieve the WIG.

OutcomeThe customer service team achieves a significant increase in customer satisfaction, and the lead measures are found to be effective in driving achievement of the WIG.

Common mistakes

3 traps
Using poorly defined WIGs or lag measures
Using poorly defined WIGs or lag measures can lead to confusion and ineffective lead measures. Make sure the WIG and lag measure are clear and concise, and that they align with the team's goals and objectives.
Limiting the brainstorming session to only a few ideas
Limiting the brainstorming session to only a few ideas can lead to a lack of creativity and ineffective lead measures. Use a variety of techniques, such as mind mapping or brainstorming sessions, to generate a large number of ideas.
Using measurement methods that are poorly defined or difficult to track
Using measurement methods that are poorly defined or difficult to track can lead to confusion and ineffective lead measures. Make sure the measurement methods are clear and concise, and that they align with the WIG and lag measure.

Origin story

How this framework came to be

The Lead Measure Builder Tool was developed as part of the 4 Disciplines of Execution, a framework for achieving goals in a whirlwind environment. The tool is designed to help teams create effective lead measures that drive achievement of a WIG.

Source

Traced to primary
Source · BOOK
Covey, Sean - The 4 Disciplines of Execution
Covey, Sean · 2020
Open source →

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