Body of Knowledge · Techniques and Models
Goodhart's law
When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure. It explains how healthy activity metrics can sit alongside flat outcomes.
Evidence grade: practice A widely adopted practitioner model with clear provenance.
Use it when
Any time a metric is about to be tied to a target, a reward or a comparison between teams.
Where it stops working
The law names the failure without preventing it. The remedies (measure outcomes, use several measures, never rank people by them) are matters of judgment that the law itself does not supply.
Where the standard uses it
- DE-5Designing how work flowsProcess selection, developer experience, and AI-assisted workflows.
- SV-5Engineering metrics and measurementChoosing, interpreting, and not gaming them, including measuring AI impact.
Sources
- Marilyn Strathern. 'Improving Ratings': Audit in the British University System. European Review, 5(3), 305–321, 1997. In the bibliography
Used alongside it
- AI-assisted developer productivity contested
- Aligned autonomy practice
- Developer experience practice
- DORA stability metrics research
- Team topologies and cognitive load practice
- The falsifiable scorecard practice
Cite this model
Chicago, BibTeX and licence →Engineering Management Academy. (2026). Goodhart's law. In Engineering Management Academy Body of Knowledge (Version 3.1, TEC.goodhart-s-law). https://www.engineeringmanagement.academy/body-of-knowledge/techniques/goodhart-s-law