Who This Helps
Founders and operators drowning in data updates. If your team argues over which numbers matter, or you feel reactive to every metric spike, this is for you. The Metrics & Dashboards Basics course shows you how to build a system you trust.
Mini Case
Maya’s team tracked 20 different numbers. Meetings were debates, not decisions. She defined one North Star metric (weekly active teams) and three supporting metrics with targets. In 4 weeks, decision time dropped by 60%. The team now reviews one clear scoreboard every Monday.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- Pick your one thing. What’s the single best measure of customer value right now? Write it down. This is your North Star.
- Find three friends for it. Choose 3 supporting metrics that directly influence your North Star. For example, sign-up rate, activation score, and weekly retention.
- Set simple targets. Give each supporting metric a realistic 30-day target. Don’t overthink it. Is 10% growth possible? Write that.
- Build your weekly view. Open your dashboard tool. Create one new dashboard called “Weekly Scoreboard.”
- Layout the landing page. Divide your scoreboard into three clear sections: North Star (big and on top), Supporting Metrics & Targets, and Guardrails/Alerts. Keep it to one screen. Your future self will thank you.
Avoid These Traps
- Don’t track more than 5 core metrics on your main scoreboard. More is noise.
- Don’t use vague definitions. “User engagement” is not a metric. “Sessions per user per week” is.
- Don’t skip setting targets. A metric without a goal is just a trivia fact.
- Don’t build a dashboard only you understand. If your teammate can’t get it in 15 seconds, simplify it.
- Don’t check it daily. The weekly ritual is for calm review, not panic monitoring.
- Don’t forget to celebrate when you hit a target. Do a little dance. It helps.
Your Win by Friday
By this Friday, you will have a one-page Weekly Scoreboard dashboard built. You’ll walk into your next team sync with clarity, not confusion. You’ll point to one number that’s up, one that’s down, and know the next action to take. Decisions become stable, not shaky.