Unfortunately, measurements of this type are so far removed from actual work activities that they are meaningless to the workers. While some measurements are best taken at the end of the process, care must be taken to also measure the process at the appropriate points to provide the direct and immediate feedback that the workforce needs. Activity Measurements are taken at important points in the process and are intended to measure a particular activity within the process. Process Measurements are taken at the end of the process and pertain to those outputs that a customer can evaluate. These measurements should generally be based on specific customer needs or expectations.
Immediate feedback is the only feedback that really works.
Research among children and adults has proven that the further feedback is separated from the activity, the less impact it has on future actions. For example, if a child misbehaves but is not punished for several days, then the child will likely commit the same act again. However, if punishment is immediate, the odds greatly increase that the child will not repeat the same act. Adults are not children, but we react in similar ways. Feedback, whether good or bad, will have its greatest impact on future behavior if it occurs immediately after the activity.