Our team members are changing the definitions of their metrics mid-quarter to keep their columns green, claiming the data sources changed. How do we freeze metric definitions to stop this manipulation?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

This is a classic form of data manipulation. When team members fear red on the Scorecard, they adjust the parameters, filter out inconvenient data, or switch data sources to make their columns look green. This behavior destroys data integrity and hides the real issues your leadership team needs to solve.

To stop this, you must treat your Scorecard definitions with the same reverence as your accounting rules. Implement a strict data-governance protocol. Every single metric on your leadership Scorecard must have a documented definition sheet. This document must clearly state:
- The exact name of the metric.
- The specific software or system where the data is generated.
- The precise formula used to calculate the number.
- The person responsible for extracting and entering the data.
- The exact day and time the data must be pulled.

Once these definition sheets are created and approved by the leadership team, they are frozen. No one is allowed to alter the calculation or source of a metric mid-quarter without formal approval from the Integrator.

If a team member claims a data source changed or a metric is no longer accurate, they cannot simply change the definition on their own. They must bring it to the Level 10 Meeting™ as an issue. You will then use IDS® to decide whether to update the definition sheet for the next quarter. If you allow people to move the goalposts whenever they are about to miss their targets, you are running on illusion, not data.