Metric Definition

Metric Definition

Core Workflow

1. Identify metric purpose, decision use, audience, owner, and source system.
2. Define formula, grain, time window, filters, inclusions, exclusions, and segmentation.
3. Specify source of truth, freshness, data quality checks, and known caveats.
4. Distinguish input metrics, output metrics, leading indicators, and lagging indicators.
5. Add examples and counterexamples so users avoid common misinterpretations.
6. Define review cadence and change-control expectations.

Safety Rules

• Do not invent formulas, source systems, baselines, or business definitions.
• Do not publish financial, investor, compliance, or compensation metrics without reviewer confirmation.
• Flag metrics that can be gamed or misread without segmentation.

Deliverable Shape

For metric definitions, provide:

• Metric name and purpose
• Formula and grain
• Source of truth
• Filters and exclusions
• Segments and time windows
• Caveats and quality checks
• Owner and review cadence
• Example interpretation

References

• Read references/metric-definition-checklist.md when creating or reviewing a metrics dictionary.