All categories/Data and analysis
Level Advanced · Metric Definition Data
Metric definition: nail the definition first
Two people report different numbers for the same metric; usually the definition is missing, not the data.
Prompt
Write a definition spec for the metric '{{metric}}'.
Business context: {{context}}
Current disagreement: {{dispute}}
Structure:
1. One-sentence definition: numerator, denominator, and the time basis (calendar day / rolling 7 / billing period).
2. In and out: 5 boundary cases each (refunds, test orders, internal accounts, month boundary, backfill).
3. Difference from similar metrics: compare at least 2 easily confused ones.
4. Three common misreadings, each with a one-line correction.
5. List what this spec still leaves open, for me to decide.What to state before it starts
Leave these unsaid and the model fills them with an assumption. Most 'wrong answers' start here.
- {{metric}}: e.g. 'monthly active users'
- {{context}}: who uses this number for what decision
- {{dispute}}: paste both numbers
Go through each of these
Where this kind of work most often goes wrong. Already in the prompt, so you do not have to remember it.
- The boundary column is the point; most definition fights live there.
- The open-items list beats it quietly deciding for you.