How can misaligned metrics be fixed?

Audit KPIs, cut those that don’t link to strategy, and reassign focus.

Regularly review your KPI set to ensure each metric directly supports business strategy. Remove or replace those that don’t. Engage KPI owners in the process so they understand the rationale and stay committed to the new metrics.

What are misaligned metrics?

KPIs that don’t support the company’s core goals.

Misaligned metrics are those that look good in isolation but don’t move the business toward its strategy. They can cause teams to optimize for the wrong outcomes, waste resources, and create conflicting priorities.

Can a KPI have a backup owner?

Yes, but responsibility must stay with the primary owner.

Backups are useful for coverage when the primary owner is unavailable, but they should not dilute accountability. The primary owner’s name stays attached to the KPI, ensuring clarity about who is ultimately responsible for performance and action.

Why submit KPIs manually?

That small friction forces reflection and strengthens commitment.

Automated dashboards make data passive. Manual submission forces the owner to actively check, understand, and commit to their number. This moment of reflection improves accuracy and increases personal ownership, turning metrics into missions instead of background noise.

Why one owner per KPI?

It removes ambiguity and ensures someone acts when the metric moves.

When multiple people share responsibility, accountability blurs — a phenomenon known as social loafing. Assigning one owner to each KPI ensures that someone is directly responsible for tracking, interpreting, and acting on changes. This clarity speeds response times and keeps important metrics from slipping through the cracks.

KPI Accountability — One Owner, One Result

KPI accountability turns metrics into missions. Learn how to set clear ownership, review results consistently, and hold people accountable in ways that motivate action rather than fear. This section covers the psychology, tools, and systems behind true accountability.