Define the decision
For each metric, write which decision it informs and who makes it. If nobody can explain a possible response to a change, reconsider displaying it. A management dashboard should support attention and comparison; it does not need to reproduce every field available in the source system.
Specify the formula
Record numerator, denominator, unit, period, time zone and exclusions. Define treatment of cancellations, late data and missing values. “Monthly sales” might mean orders, invoices or cash receipts. Resolve those differences before comparing teams or attributing outcomes to a campaign.
Show freshness and quality
Show when the source refreshed and how much of the period is complete. Distinguish zero from missing data. If a source fails, do not present the last value as current. A specific notice lets the reader decide whether to use the metric, wait or consult another source.
Validate against known examples
Choose a period and records the team can check manually. Reconcile the result and document differences. Ask the metric owner to confirm its definition. Version formula changes so series calculated under different rules are not silently compared as though they were equivalent.
Key takeaways
- Every KPI needs a definition, an owner and a source.