[Verse 1]
In the boardroom they're tracking numbers clean
KPIs and dashboards, everything's pristine
Security checklist boxes, all marked green
But the real threats lurking can't be seen
Started measuring what was easy to find
Now the metric's the mission, we've lost our minds
[Chorus]
Metric capture, proxy substitution
When the measure becomes the target solution
Goodhart's warning echoes through the halls
When numbers replace the reason for it all
What gets measured gets the focus and attention
But are we solving the wrong dimension?
[Verse 2]
Compliance reports show we're doing fine
Every process completed right on time
Contract dollars flowing down the line
While capability gaps are by design
The appearance of control is what we chase
Risk management theatre takes center stage
[Chorus]
Metric capture, proxy substitution
When the measure becomes the target solution
Goodhart's warning echoes through the halls
When numbers replace the reason for it all
What gets measured gets the focus and attention
But are we solving the wrong dimension?
[Bridge]
Defense departments count the forms they file
National security measured by the pile
Of documented procedures in their style
Missing adversaries planning all the while
The proxy's not the purpose, that's the trap
Between the mission and the metric is a gap
[Verse 3]
Large organizations see the danger clear
Strategic mistakes approaching year by year
But they optimize what's measured, that's their fear
While true objectives slowly disappear
The dashboard's green but readiness is red
Managing appearance of the thing instead
[Chorus]
Metric capture, proxy substitution
When the measure becomes the target solution
Goodhart's warning echoes through the halls
When numbers replace the reason for it all
What gets measured gets the focus and attention
But are we solving the wrong dimension?
[Outro]
Question every metric that you see
Is it the goal or just the proxy key?
The thing you measure shapes reality
Choose wisely what your targets ought to be