The Performance Matrix is a simple and valuable tool. It was introduced in a 2011 Harvard Business Review article by Thomas J. DeLong. The horizontal dimension of this matrix (see the graphic above) is a measure of the “rightness” of what you are doing. Are you doing the “right” thing or the “wrong” thing? The vertical dimension is how well you are doing it.
This performance matrix can be applied to nearly everything that is going on in an organization. I’ve found it useful to step back from the swirl from time to time and think about what my team is doing in this context. Software architecture, software development process, security, people management, vendor management, and product management are some of the areas where this can be applied.
Beware of the Danger Zone
The top left quadrant is the “danger zone” because everything seems to be going well and you may not realize you are in trouble. You are executing to a plan, implementing decisions that have been made, and your team is productive and happy. But you might be on the wrong path. It’s not uncommon to have started doing the right thing but something changed in the environment to put you on the wrong path. It is important to recognize this as soon as possible and get moving over to the right.
One example is choosing to use a language or framework that is the latest “shiny object.” Often it doesn’t live up to its hype and support for it eventually fades away. It might have seemed like a good idea at the time, but didn’t turn out to be a good bet. At some point, you may need to move away from it.
Doing the right thing
When you you come to the conclusion that you are doing the wrong thing, it is often difficult to jump directly to the top right (doing the right thing well). Often, you end up starting off doing the right thing not so well (or “poorly”) and then work to get better at it. One example is switching your organization to a new software development process they are not familiar with. You can expect it will take some time for them to become proficient at it and move you from the bottom to the top where you want to be. One thing to note is that there really isn’t a binary “poorly / well” or “right / wrong,” there is a continuum of “worse” and “better.”
Avoid complacency
Arriving at the promised land in the top right quadrant (doing the right thing well) doesn’t mean you are done. There is danger in complacency. The environment can change. There may be better solutions emerging. Periodic management performance matrix checkups in key areas can be highly beneficial to avoid the complacency trap.
