The Three Levels of Wellbeing Metrics
| Level | What It Measures | Examples | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process | Program implementation and participation | Enrollment rate, session completion, HRA completion | Does not measure health change or business impact |
| Outcome | Health and behavioral changes | HbA1c reduction, blood pressure control, tobacco quit rate | Does not directly measure business impact |
| Impact | Business results | Healthcare cost reduction, absenteeism reduction, productivity improvement | Hardest to measure; requires control group or comparison |
The Participation Trap
Most wellbeing programs measure success by participation rates — and declare victory when 70% of employees complete the HRA. But participation is not the goal. Health improvement and business impact are the goals. A program with 70% participation and no health improvement is not effective. Define outcome and impact metrics before program launch and measure them rigorously.
Balanced Scorecard Approach
IQ Insight
A balanced scorecard approach measures process, outcome, and impact metrics simultaneously. This provides a complete picture of program effectiveness: Are we reaching the right people (process)? Are their health outcomes improving (outcome)? Is the program delivering business value (impact)? Programs that score well on all three levels are the ones worth investing in.