Glossary

Orphan metric

An indicator computed because the data exist, but which answers no relevant question and connects to no objective.

An indicator computed because the data exist, but which answers no relevant question and connects to no objective. It is one of the two typical defects of measurement systems, alongside success criteria that no data can verify.

It is recognised by an uncomfortable question: if this figure got worse, who would do what? With no answer, the metric occupies space on the dashboard and attention in the meeting without producing any decision.

Related terms

Correlation and causation

Two measures moving together is correlation; one producing the other is causation — and a dashboard can only show the first.

Decision criterion

The threshold or rule that turns a measure into actionable information, signalling whether performance is acceptable, needs attention or demands intervention.

Goal-Question-Metric

A disciplined procedure for deriving indicators: from each goal one derives questions that characterize its fulfilment, and from each question metrics that answer it with data.

KPI

A measure that quantifies a declared attribute of something in the architecture, and therefore verifies whether an objective was met.