Metrics That Matter
When This Skill Activates
Claude uses this skill when:
- Choosing which metrics to track
- Instrumenting product analytics
- Creating dashboards
- Defining success criteria
Core Frameworks
1. North Star Metric
Definition:
The ONE metric that best captures the core value you deliver to customers
Good North Star:
- Measures value delivery (not vanity)
- Leading indicator of revenue
- Captures product vision
- Actionable by team
Examples:
- Airbnb: Nights booked
- Facebook: Daily active users
- Slack: Messages sent
- Amplitude: Weekly learning users (in Spotify)
2. AARRR Framework
Pirate Metrics:
- Acquisition: How users find you
- Activation: First value experience
- Retention: Users coming back
- Revenue: Monetization
- Referral: Viral growth
Action Templates
Template: Metrics Dashboard
markdown# Metrics Dashboard: [Product/Feature] ## North Star Metric **Metric:** [name] **Current:** [value] **Target:** [goal] **Why this metric:** [captures core value] ## Supporting Metrics ### Acquisition - Signups: [X per day] - Channels: [breakdown] - Cost per acquisition: [$X] ### Activation - Activation rate: [X]% - Time to first value: [X minutes] ### Retention - Day 1: [X]% - Day 7: [X]% - Day 30: [X]% ### Revenue - ARPU: [$X] - LTV: [$X] - Conversion rate: [X]% ### Referral - K-factor: [X] - Referral rate: [X]% ## Leading vs Lagging **Leading (predict future):** - [Metric that predicts outcome] **Lagging (measure past):** - [Metric that measures result]
Quick Reference
📊 Metrics Checklist
Choose Metrics:
- North Star defined
- AARRR covered
- Leading indicators identified
- Vanity metrics avoided
Implement:
- Tracking instrumented
- Dashboard created
- Goals set
- Review cadence established
Key Quotes
Amplitude:
"The best metrics measure value delivery, not just activity."
Sean Ellis:
"If you can't measure it, you can't improve it."
