The KPI Mistakes That Wreck Projects (And How to Avoid Them)

KPIs don’t exist to punish people — they exist to prevent disasters.In Episode 6 of the SWF Project Series, Brandon breaks down why KPIs matter, where companies misuse them, and how the right metrics help project managers avoid surprises, stay objective, and catch problems long before they become expensive.You’ll hear:• What KPIs actually measure (and what they don’t)• Why over-measuring leads to blind spots• How metrics prevent leaders from acting on emotion• The KPI that shows a project is failing — at 30% complete• When too many KPIs slow down projects• The difference between KPIs and micromanaging• Why bad data can derail everything• How SWF uses KPIs to improve scheduling, cost control, and communication• How to turn metrics into lessons for future projectsThis episode is a must-watch for PMs, estimators, fabricators, GCs, and leaders who rely on clarity, predictability, and data-driven execution.00:00 – Intro00:16 – What KPIs really do (clarity vs fear)01:25 – Why delivery & wording matter when reviewing KPIs02:40 – The danger of over-measuring metrics04:47 – People + data: what KPIs don’t tell you05:50 – Internal vs client-facing KPIs07:35 – How KPIs remove emotional decision-making09:05 – What happens when KPIs are wrong10:35 – Using KPIs to identify early project trouble12:30 – How SWF uses KPIs across long-running projects14:55 – The KPI that predicts success at 30% completion16:45 – KPIs, culture & performance incentivesCheck us out atwww.swfindustrial.com