Decision Asset · Template
KPI / Metric Dictionary Template
One source of truth for metric definitions — so dashboards stop disagreeing.
What this template is
A practical worksheet for defining KPIs consistently so reporting logic becomes easier to govern and explain.
Who it is for
Data, finance, product, and operations teams that need shared metric definitions across stakeholders.
Main outcome
Clearer KPI ownership, fewer reporting disputes, and stronger trust in dashboards and executive reviews.
Revenue in Sales ≠ Revenue in Finance
Sales counts all deals. Finance only counts revenue recognized. The dashboard shows something else. Nobody knows who's right. A metric dictionary makes them all agree.
Template columns
Metric Name
What it's called everywhere (e.g., "Active Users")
Definition
Plain-language explanation
Calculation Logic
SQL query or formula
Source of Truth
Database table or system
Owner
Team or person accountable
Last Updated
Date of last change
Notes / Caveats
Known limitations or edge cases
Example entry
Metric Name: Monthly Active Users (MAU)
Definition: Users who logged in at least once in the last 30 days
Calculation: COUNT(DISTINCT user_id) WHERE last_login_date >= CURRENT_DATE - 30
Source: analytics.user_activity table
Owner: Product Analytics Team
Last Updated: 2025-01-15
Notes: Excludes internal test accounts (domain @straitworks.com)
How to build it
Start with top pain points
Which 10-20 metrics cause disagreement?
Facilitate a workshop
Bring Sales, Finance, Product, and Data together
Document each one
Definition, calculation, owner, source of truth
Enforce it in your BI tool
Lock calculations in Looker, Power BI, or semantic layer
Review quarterly
Add new metrics, update definitions, keep it current
Common questions
What is a KPI or metric dictionary?
A KPI or metric dictionary is a governed reference that defines business metrics consistently across dashboards, teams, and reporting workflows.
Why do teams need a metric dictionary?
Teams need a metric dictionary to reduce reporting disagreements, clarify ownership, standardize calculations, and improve trust in dashboards.
What fields should a metric dictionary template include?
A useful metric dictionary template should include the metric name, plain-language definition, calculation logic, source of truth, owner, update date, and important notes or caveats.