A cure for metric madness.

A pandemic among dashboards and analytical reports is something I call metrics madness.

Building measures, charts, graphs, and cards for every. possible. metric. that the developer or stakeholder can think of.

The report expands with data points like a balloon.

Until it eventually pops.

When your executive looks at a dashboard they need less noise. Less clutter. Less confusion

Try this minimalist framework.

Only two types of metrics are allowed: Terminal Metrics and Decision Metrics.

Terminal Metrics are end-goal metrics. They aren’t progress markers, rather they represent the outcome of the organization. Revenue. Patient Outcomes. Number of children kept safe.

Decision Metrics are metrics that you track because they are tied to specific decisions. When the conversion rate drops to Y% we change the marketing campaign. When program attendance increases by X% we add staff or a new site.

Here’s the important point - you ignore every other metric. Every other number. Every other data point.

If it’s not a terminal metric or a decision metric it’s not on a dashboard or reviewed by leadership.

The end result?

Much less clutter.

Far more clarity.

I’m glad you are here,

Sawyer