Process adherence percentage as a goal metric
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2026 9:24 pm
P&L is a lagging, noisy result. Process adherence is something you control every day. Tracking it as a percentage gives a clear, honest number to work on.
How to calculate it:
1. Write down your trading rules as a checklist (5–10 items).
2. For each trade, mark which rules were followed.
3. Adherence = rules followed / total rule checks.
Example: 20 trades x 6 rules = 120 checks. 108 followed = 90% adherence.
Why it's useful:
- It separates good decisions from good outcomes. A trade can follow every rule and still lose.
- It identifies which rules are hardest to follow.
- Over time, you can see whether adherence correlates with results.
Setting goals:
- Start by measuring for two weeks without trying to change anything.
- Set a target slightly above your baseline, e.g. 85% if you're at 78%.
- Focus on the single rule broken most often.
The common finding: traders with higher adherence tend to have better results, but more importantly, more consistent results.
What's your adherence rate? Do you track it formally?
How to calculate it:
1. Write down your trading rules as a checklist (5–10 items).
2. For each trade, mark which rules were followed.
3. Adherence = rules followed / total rule checks.
Example: 20 trades x 6 rules = 120 checks. 108 followed = 90% adherence.
Why it's useful:
- It separates good decisions from good outcomes. A trade can follow every rule and still lose.
- It identifies which rules are hardest to follow.
- Over time, you can see whether adherence correlates with results.
Setting goals:
- Start by measuring for two weeks without trying to change anything.
- Set a target slightly above your baseline, e.g. 85% if you're at 78%.
- Focus on the single rule broken most often.
The common finding: traders with higher adherence tend to have better results, but more importantly, more consistent results.
What's your adherence rate? Do you track it formally?