Working with Metrics

What is a Primary Metric?

A Primary Metric is a key indicator that you prioritize because it requires your attention. It's the focal point of a Tile and represents the main value you want to monitor. Primary Metrics have properties like name, description, value, units, and are calculated from specific data products.

How do Reference Metrics help me understand my data?

Reference Metrics provide context for your Primary Metrics by offering points of comparison. There are several types of Reference Metrics:

• Historical observations (like last month, last year)

• Benchmarks (industry standards or internal benchmarks)

• Targets (goals you've set)

• Forecasts (predictions)

These comparisons help you judge whether a metric's performance is good, bad, or as expected.

What are Qualitative Information Points and why are they useful?

Qualitative Information Points provide additional context beyond numbers. They offer insights about your Primary Metrics such as:

• Whether an anomaly is present

• If the pattern is cyclical

• Potential causes for observed behavior

• Relevant business events that might impact the metric

This qualitative information helps you make more informed judgments about what the metrics actually mean for your business.

How do I decide what should be a Primary Metric versus a Reference Metric?

Primary Metrics should be key performance indicators that directly reflect your business objectives and require regular monitoring. Reference Metrics serve to provide context for your Primary Metrics. If you find yourself consistently comparing a metric to others to understand its significance, it should be a Primary Metric with those comparisons as Reference Metrics.

Can Reference Metrics evolve into Primary Metrics?

Yes. As your business priorities change, you may find that a Reference Metric becomes increasingly important. The system allows you to elevate Reference Metrics to Primary Metrics, creating new Tiles centered around them with their own supporting context.

How granular can my metrics be?

Metrics can be as granular as your data allows. You can define metrics at various levels, from company-wide performance indicators to department-specific metrics or even individual process metrics. Each metric has a defined time grain (daily, weekly, monthly) that determines how frequently it's measured and updated.