We often want to measure success in terms of what can be measured rather than what should be measured.

From Doing Bad by Doing Good: Why Humanitarian Action Fails by Christopher J. Coyne. Page 61.

The development economist Lant Pritchett recounts the following story regarding his experience in India. I was living in India and discussing arrangements for household water supply with some development colleagues of mine. After about half an hour of pretty fruitless discussion I said, “Let’s step back. Tell me your long-run vision of the household water sector in India.”

They said, “Our vision is that India meets the target that every household lives within half a kilometer of an improved water source capable of providing 40 liters of safe water per person per day.”

I said, “I see the problem. My vision of success is that every Indian can take a hot shower inside their own home.” The difference is that one can imagine meeting the first goal “programmatically” or with a series of “interventions” while the latter clearly requires endogenously functional systems.

No one I know wants to have to go to a group meeting to take a hot shower. They want to turn the tap and it works.

It is also a great example where measurement can displace effectiveness. We often want to measure success in terms of what can be measured rather than what should be measured.