The theme of the readings is the correlation between human capital management and organizational outcomes. Success will come to those who identify patterns and relationships among data. Businesses are complex and dynamic environments. The wealth of data gathered by business activity is overwhelming. We must learn to select the factors and forces that make a difference. Not all date collected is relevant to achieving the goals of the organization. It is important to not find correlations when they do not exist. Data from one activity may be moving parallel to that of another. But, this may be more coincidence than correlation. Isolated one-time events rarely are generalizable to other situations and people. Is this data useful information or simply a distraction from what is real and important.

The author of ROI on Human Capital Management shows an number of examples of how an action at any level of the organization can have a measureable effect on the operation of the business and in turn, contribute to the achievement ofstrategic goals. By gathering relevant data and using the correct measurements,management can have a better sense of what to do to develop or maintain a competitive advantage. Data and measurement allow organizations to be proactive rather than reactive in this dynamic global market.

1.)Do you see opportunities in your organization for measurement and analysis of relevant data?

2.)Do you see how you can be more proactive in your decision-making with the right data and measures?

3.) I want you to think about the information in the readings as it pertains to your organization, human resources, and you as a leader of change.