Author: Owen Miles, VP Solutions Engineering EMEA for Restrata
Blog Series: ‘Miles to Go’ – Exploring the foundations of resilience & continuity
#4 – Resilience Metrics That Matter
Resilience is often measured by what’s easy to count – number of plans, frequency of training, audit scores, system uptime. But those metrics don’t always reflect capability. They show presence, not performance.
I’ve seen organizations proudly report that every site has a continuity plan. That every team has completed training. That every system has passed its last test. But when disruption hits, those metrics don’t always translate into confident action.
The most resilient organizations I’ve worked with measure what matters. Not just what’s documented – but what’s executable.
1. Visibility vs. Capability
There’s a difference between knowing something exists and knowing it works. A plan in a binder is visible. A plan that’s been tested, rehearsed, and understood – that’s capability.
Metrics should reflect that difference. Instead of asking, “Do we have a plan?” ask, “Can we execute it under pressure?” Instead of tracking training completion, track decision-making speed, escalation clarity, and team confidence.
2. Leading Indicators, Not Just Lagging Ones
Most resilience metrics are retrospective. They measure what happened – how long recovery took, how many people were affected, how much downtime occurred.
But leading indicators are more powerful. They show readiness before the crisis hits. Things like:
- Frequency of simulations
- Time to escalate
- Clarity of roles across teams
- Integration of systems
- Confidence scores from staff
These metrics don’t just show what went wrong – they help prevent it.
3. Cultural Metrics Matter Too
Resilience isn’t just operational – it’s cultural. And culture is measurable.
Do people feel safe escalating issues? Do they trust leadership to act quickly? Do they understand their role in a crisis without checking a document?
I’ve seen organizations use pulse surveys, simulation feedback, and post-incident reviews to track cultural readiness. The insights are often more valuable than any dashboard.
4. Metrics That Drive Action
The best metrics don’t just inform – they enable. They help leaders prioritize investment, identify gaps, and track progress over time.
They also help build the business case. When you can show that resilience reduces downtime, improves decision speed, and protects reputation, it stops being a cost – and starts being a capability.
Because resilience isn’t just about having the right numbers. It’s about having the right insights – and using them to get better.
Call to Action: Review your current resilience metrics. Are they measuring visibility or capability? Identify one metric that could be improved – and use it to drive meaningful action.
Next Week: We’ll explore the role of governance in resilience – why ownership, coordination, and leadership are essential to making resilience real