Stephen Downes

"The real beauty of a data driven model for performance improvement," writes Tony Karrer, "is that it focuses on key elements of behavior change within a proven framework. More specifically, it directs actions that align with metrics that are already understood and important. It helps ensure commitment to action." That said, I would caution that such an approach is designed specifically for a well-understood environment with clearly definable outcomes. Tying a store training initiative to sales, for example, works because (a) you know that you want 'sales' as an outcome, and (b) there is a way to effectively measure sales. Blindly applying the same methodology to less concrete domains would be a mistake, however. All of that said, Karrer's article is a well-written explanation with concrete examples and solid analysis.