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Interactive framework · 4 steps

Metric Tree

Decompose one north-star metric into 4-6 movable input metrics.

Worksheet
## State the north star
—

## Break into inputs
—

## Assign ownership
—

## Prune quarterly
—
Why it works

A north star is a scoreboard. A metric tree is the game plan.

When to use

After you've picked a north star and teams need to know what they own.

Steps in detail
01

State the north star

One number, customer-perspective, movable. Write it at the top of the tree.

02

Break into inputs

3-5 metrics that mathematically compose into the north star. Volume × conversion × frequency, for example.

03

Assign ownership

Each input has one owner. Not a committee. The owner sets the target and reports weekly.

04

Prune quarterly

Inputs shift as the business evolves. Kill inputs nobody's moved in two quarters.

Pitfalls
  • 01Trees that don't math out — the inputs don't actually compose into the top.
  • 02Too many leaves. 4-6, hard cap.