As a compliance engineer with 30+ years of experience, I've learned that not all metrics are created equal. Today, I want to share a framework that has transformed how organizations approach compliance measurement.
Here's the thing: We often get caught up in measuring everything we can, but what truly matters are the metrics that drive real compliance outcomes.
I'm talking about tangible improvements in safety, security, sustainability, quality, and profitability—all of which build that precious stakeholder trust we're aiming for.
Let me break down the five essential categories of metrics that I've seen make a real difference:
📈 Adherence Metrics: These show you're walking the walk. They measure how well you're meeting your rule-based obligations—think regulatory requirements, internal policies, and mandatory procedures. It's about having concrete evidence that you're doing what you say you're doing.
📈 Conformance Metrics: These demonstrate alignment with industry best practices and standard operating procedures. They're your proof that you're not just meeting the minimum requirements but following established practices that work.
📈 Performance Metrics: This is where we track progress against specific targets. Are we hitting our compliance KPIs? Are we meeting our performance obligations consistently? These metrics show if we're delivering on our promises.
📈Effectiveness Metrics: These are the "so what" metrics—they measure the actual impact of our compliance efforts. Are we seeing fewer incidents? Better risk management? Improved outcomes? This is where we prove our program is making a difference.
📈 Integrity Metrics:Perhaps the most crucial of all—these metrics measure the confidence level in our ability to meet obligations and keep promises. They're about trust, reliability, and the strength of our compliance culture.
Why does this framework work? Because it helps you focus on what truly matters. It's not about drowning in data—it's about measuring the right things that keep you:
✅ True to your mission
✅ Operating within boundaries
✅ Ahead of potential risks
Here are some screenshots (below) from our Elevate Compliance Webinar we recently held. We talked about how to use metrics that really matter to compliance.
If you’re interested, book a call with us to learn how you can use this framework to make compliance a success for your business.
