Using Biometric Sensors to Measure Productivity

Abstract

If we want to be productive, it would be great if we could track productivity in some way, such that it is possible to determine what factors help and hinder productivity. Biometric sensors may be helpful for such productivity tracking. But what does being productive mean? Productivity requires sometimes singular focus, and sometimes distraction. What is crucial is monitoring to ensure that attention is being paid to the most relevant goals, and that the degree of attentional focus is in line with those goals. The attentional focus should neither be too narrow, nor too wide, and should be directed to the task that is most important at that moment. In this chapter I will first discuss biometric sensors on the basis of eyetracking and electroencephalography (EEG) that simply track attention, and then preview some new potential sensors that track the broader definition of productivity that depends on focusing on the most relevant goals and not being sidetracked by thoughts that pull one away.