Douglas Hubbard

How to Measure Anything

1. IDEA 1

   Anything can be measured

   Hubbard argues that many things people consider impossible to measure, such as quality, risk or value, can in fact be measured. The key is to understand what measurement really means.

2. IDEA 2

   Measurement reduces uncertainty

   Hubbard defines measurement as reducing uncertainty, not achieving perfect certainty. Even rough measurements can improve decisions. If a rough measure tells you something you did not know, it is already useful, because it helps you make a better choice.

3. IDEA 3

   Estimate like Fermi

   Hubbard describes Fermi estimation, breaking a problem into smaller parts that can be estimated. Physicist Enrico Fermi used this to make surprisingly accurate guesses. Such rough estimates are often close enough to guide a decision.

All 8 ideas from How to Measure Anything →