Balancing Quantitative and Qualitative Information

As a technical, product-focused entrepreneur, I find more comfort looking at quantitive metrics and data as part of growing a business. Of course, that’s not the full story. There’s a wealth of qualitative information that needs to be assessed such that decisions are made with both quantitative and qualitative information.

Here are a few thoughts on balancing quantitative and qualitative information:

• Startup stages, like idea and seed, have such small sample sizes that quantitative data is often minimal (still important to track)
• Besides tracking the operational metrics, look for ways to answer the “so what” questions (meaning, often times you have to dig deeper and figure out underlying trends)
• Strong internal meeting rhythms ensures there’s a time and place for continuous qualitative feedback
• Leadership tools like the weekly team update incorporate both quantitative and qualitative information

Building a successful business requires both quantitative and qualitative information. Ensure there’s a healthy balance with the two and build systems to track the data and the human feedback.

What else? What are some more thoughts on balancing quantitative and qualitative information?