What are the facts? Which data forms the basis? How were data and facts determined? What is the science behind the facts and figures?
In the digital era, what counts are reliable values, i.e. valid figures. Opinions can have a majority, but are not yet resilient. In an age of increasing complexity, opinions as the basis for governance lead to dead ends more and more quickly. Only facts, data, science lead out of dead ends. Therefore: facts, data, science before opinions. And also interests.
People have opinions and have interests. Science flees from certain opinions and interests and takes facts and data with it. What remains is a desert of ignorance. Is this a problem? Yes, at all levels of social, political and economic interaction. Can this problem be solved? Clear. By prioritizing facts, data, science higher than opinions and interests. The more people agree on this, the more powerful and sustainable the change.
On a scale from 0 to 100 percent:
- How satisfied are the customers with the product?
- How satisfied are the employees who develop and manufacture the product for the customer?
- How innovative is the company that makes the product?
- What is the probability that the product will be pushed out of the market by a competitor's product?
Four questions that can be answered with facts, data and science. Facts and data preserved in a fact and data history to be available for reconciliation in the future – metrics-based governance .
The scale from 0 to 100% is plausible and at the same time arbitrary. The size of the scale doesn't matter. It is important that a scale is chosen and used consistently.
Is metrics-based governance a reality?
Yes and no. Management often takes note of facts and data and then makes gut decisions. This is opinion based decision making. It worked in the age of industry. In the digital era, the associated complexity exceeds processing based on gut feeling and opinion. Facts, data and science count today. Opinions can be entertaining, but are no longer productive.