Metrics & KPI Analysis: Making Product Decisions That Stick

What is it?

Metrics and KPIs are how you track momentum, test assumptions, and hold teams accountable not how you drown in dashboards. In my practice, I use metrics to guide action, not just reflect history. They don’t just tell me what happened they tell me what to test next.

What does it do for you?

You get a product partner who connects every user journey and backlog story to measurable signals without over-optimizing for vanity. I help teams define what matters, not just what’s easy to measure.

🎯 Metrics Are Only Useful When Aligned to the Moment

Example: Renewable Energy Platform (Sol Systems)
We initially explored a high-fidelity KPI stack: API latency, monthly usage variance, subscription churn.

But the real unlock came when we asked: What signals adoption and trust in week one?

  • Activation within 48 hours of sign-up
  • Time-on-calculator interaction (vs. bounce)
  • Completion of estimate flow (conversion event)

Result:

  • ✅ 200+ subscribers in the first month
  • ✅ Rapid insight into trust barriers
  • ✅ Data used to validate UX wording and flow changes during sprints

🧩 Not All Metrics Are Numbers Behavior Is a Metric

Example: Arena Operations (MSG Luxury Suites)
Standard metrics like “orders per suite” were tempting but misleading. Instead, we focused on workflow integrity:

  • % of orders successfully routed from UI → Inventory → POS → kitchen queue
  • Time from event night orders to updated portal invoice
  • Cases of manual intervention by event staff

Result:

  • ✅ Exposed undocumented system behaviors
  • ✅ Enabled targeted backlog scoping
  • ✅ Saved hours per event by reducing order failures

💸 Metrics Must Link to Strategic OKRs

Example: Tourist VAT Refund (Planet Payment)
We prioritized KPIs tied directly to fraud prevention and usability:

  • Claim abandonment rate
  • Receipt parsing success rate
  • Kiosk time-to-completion
  • % of claims flagged for eligibility violations

Impact:

  • 🔹 30% reduction in chargebacks
  • 🔹 Higher throughput at airport kiosks
  • 🔹 Empirical proof for regional rollout pacing

🔍 My KPI Approach in Practice

  • Start with the Why Now – Tie every KPI to a strategic OKR or hypothesis
  • Mix Leading and Lagging Metrics – Early signals + long-term impact
  • Watch for False Signals – Avoid proxy traps like time-on-page
  • Turn KPIs Into Experiments – Guide decisions, not just reports
  • Align Teams – Share KPI ownership across Product, Design, Engineering

Let’s Work Together – Resume

📊 Suggested Metrics by Context

Project Area Leading KPI Outcome KPI
Renewable Subscription Flow % calculator completions, trust score First-month churn, referral / gifting rate
MSG Order Operations Queue latency, kitchen retries Order fulfillment time
Tourist VAT Kiosks Claim start-to-finish rate Chargeback % reduction
Agile UX Discovery Prototype test success rate Time to validated spec delivery

Ready to Bring Metrics That Matter?

If you’re tracking data but not seeing momentum or if your team is overwhelmed by dashboards with no decisions I’ll help you cut through the noise.

Let’s align your metrics with your mission and turn your KPI stack into a strategic advantage.

Let’s talk KPIs that convert curiosity into clarity