Measuring global mobility

If asked the existential question of "Why do we measure?" what would you say?

Measuring is a great way to get a firm grasp on what has happened. By looking at measured data, trends can be seen and utilized to predict future activity or behaviors. 

Measurements can:

• support a perspective or re-frame misconceptions 
• be taken and then retaken to show growth and development
• be used to identify and reach goals 
• help show success or help identify areas left to improve
• place values on the level of investment and the return on that investment  

Ultimately, per i Six Sigma, metrics will help tell the organization:

• Where it has been
• Where it is heading
• Whether something is going wrong
• When the organization reaches its target

Effective metrics will:

• Drive the strategy and direction of the organization or department
• Provide focus for an organization, department or employee
• Help make decisions
• Drive and prove performance
• Change and evolve with the organization

Technologies today provide easy access to your data and customized reporting can be pulled on a moment's notice. User experience has improved dramatically with the ability to drill down or slice and dice information as needed. You can build and schedule automatic reports that you want and need for the times that you want to see them.

Within the context of global mobility, there are some typical areas that are measured, monitored and reported on. Typical areas of measurement for mobility programs are:

1. Activity: aka volume - by policy type, employee type, business units, by regions or specific locations or even drill into specific moves to see where someone is at in the process
2. Spend: aka investment - by individual, groups, policy type, time periods, business units, by regions or specific locations, specific benefits, exceptions or budget vs. actual
3. Service levels: overall service and experience, specific phases or stages, case management, specific suppliers or technology user experience

With greater volumes of people relocating for a greater variety of reasons, being able to find meaning in the data will be important as mobility teams try to build programs that support several business needs and initiatives.  

What do you feel are the most effective measurements when monitoring the health of your talent mobility program?