Measures of Success - by Mark Graban (Paperback)

About the Book

This book teaches leaders to use "Process Behavior Charts" that distinguish signals (significant changes) from noise (routine fluctuations) in performance metrics - helping them react less, lead better, and improve more.

Book Synopsis

Are you tired of riding the performance roller coaster?

Leaders and improvement professionals often feel trapped by the constant ups and downs in their metrics-reacting to every dip and spike, chasing explanations for every shift, and burning time and energy without seeing meaningful progress. Measures of Success offers a better way.

In this practical and accessible guide, Mark Graban introduces readers to Process Behavior Charts-a simple, powerful tool that helps distinguish signal from noise in performance data. Instead of reacting emotionally to every fluctuation, leaders learn how to evaluate variation logically and statistically. The result? Smarter decisions, calmer leadership, and more effective improvement.

Graban draws from the principles of Lean, the teachings of W. Edwards Deming and Donald J. Wheeler, and years of experience across industries-from healthcare to manufacturing-to show how outdated management habits often create more harm than good. With real-world examples and step-by-step guidance, Measures of Success teaches readers how to:

• Stop wasting time reacting to normal variation in data
• Recognize real signals that indicate a system has changed
• Predict future performance based on current trends
• Focus efforts on sustainable improvements instead of false alarms
• Build a culture of data-informed leadership and learning

Who Should Read This Book?

• Leaders and executives who want to lead with clarity, not chaos
• Healthcare professionals striving to improve quality without adding stress
• Lean and continuous improvement practitioners looking to strengthen their data literacy
• Operational excellence and quality managers aiming to reduce waste and improve results
• Startup founders and business owners who need a better way to gauge progress
• Anyone tired of dashboards filled with noise and desperate for actionable insight

Whether you're leading a team, guiding a company, or influencing change in your organization, this book will help you make better decisions, avoid costly distractions, and focus on what truly matters.

Praised by thought leaders including Eric Ries, Daniel H. Pink, Dr. John Toussaint and Karen Martin, Measures of Success is more than a book about charts-it's a guide to leading better by thinking differently.

If you're serious about improvement and want to lead with insight rather than impulse, Measures of Success is your next essential read.

Review Quotes

"With clarity and precision, Mark Graban steps through the process of collecting and analyzing the kind of data you focus on... If you're navigating a tough business environment, you need this book."

• Daniel H. Pink
  Author of WHEN and DRIVE

"Mark Graban has written a readable, informative book to guide any leader who wants to help an organization achieve true and lasting success. Improvement has been made easier thanks to his work."

• Eric Ries
  Author of The Lean Startup and The Startup Way

"This book outlines in understandable terms the complex world of performance measurement."

• Dr. John Toussaint
  Executive Chairman and CEO, Catalysis
  Author of books, including On the Mend

"Mark Graban taught the KaiNexus team how to understand the story a metric is actually telling over time. We've saved time by not overanalyzing every up and down in our metrics -- and that's valuable time we now put to better use."

• Dr. Greg Jacobson
  CEO and Co-Founder, KaiNexus