When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good
When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.
Why This Is an Axiom
This is Goodhart's Law (1975), cited explicitly. While technically an economic observation, it functions as a theoretical principle about measurement and optimization that the curriculum accepts as foundational. It's irreducible — not derivable from other axioms about cognition or tools.
Source Lessons
Mastering tools is not the point
Tools serve goals — never lose sight of what you are trying to accomplish with the tool.
Workflow measurement
You cannot improve a workflow you do not measure. Track cycle time, throughput, error rate, and energy cost — but track them lightly, because invasive measurement distorts the very process you are trying to understand.
Output measurement
Track which outputs produce the most value to focus your production on high-impact types.
Operational metrics
Track the key indicators of your operational health — throughput quality and cycle time.
Bottleneck measurement
You cannot address a bottleneck you cannot measure — quantify the constraint.
Operational metrics
Track the key indicators of your operational health — throughput quality and cycle time.