DEI Metrics

DEI metrics are the data points that indicate gaps or progress based on DEI goals. The ability to approach this work with an analytical lens and deeply understand associated metrics is crucial both in understanding where the organization is on its DEI journey and where it wants to go.

USE THIS IN ORDER TO…

  • Establish a standardized way to more clearly define and measure the organizational impact of DEI activities inside your organization.

  • Secure support and resources from organizational leadership.

  • Clearly illustrate how the organization’s commitment to DEI shows up in your strategy and day-to-day work.


KEY COMPONENTS

  1. Draft goals and metrics (qualitative, quantitative) aligned with your organizational strategy and your approach to DEI.

  2. Consider how you’ll support your teammates with meeting these goals, as well as who will hold teammates/your organization accountable for the metrics – and how.

  3. Get feedback on your metrics from your team (especially individuals whose work will be directly impacted, those who may be marginalized within your team or society more broadly, and your organizational leaders) and your partners/users/clients.

  4. Work on putting supports in place and finalize your metrics.

  5. Continuously revisit metrics to assess whether they are meaningful and useful.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR REMOTE IMPLEMENTATION

  1. Over-communicate. Having a handle on everything that is happening in any organization can be a challenge; this is even more true in a virtual organization where information often lives in documents, social media, messaging programs (e.g., Slack), and email. With that in mind, develop a clear communication plan and over-communicate.

  2. Consider where information will live. In some organizations, folks may use bulletin boards (or similar tools) to share their progress against metrics. Consider what your virtual “bulletin board” will be and how you can encourage teammates to regularly check your organization’s progress.


ARTIFACTS & RESOURCES

“DEI work is complicated, contextual, and deeply personal. Measuring the work accurately can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. We’ve learned that applying some type of measurement to our efforts can help us reflect on whether or not we’re collectively making movement and help us keep our eye on what’s most important.”

– Lavada Berger, Transcend