The page
- Metric: the name, and the definition from the agency definitions sheet.
- This week and last week: the measured value, or 'not measured' with the reason.
- The line: the break-even, target or floor the metric is judged against.
- Direction: up, down or flat, with the size of the move in plain words.
- Cause to check: the one or two things that could explain the move.
- Action: the decision taken, its owner and date, or 'none, watching'.
Keep the list short
- Track no more than eight metrics on the page. Move the rest to a drill-down tab.
- Use the same definitions every week. Change a definition only with a note on the page.
- Count a missing number as missing. A blank is not a zero.
Made-up scenario: the page lists MER, blended CAC, new customer rate, return rate and contribution margin per product group. This week MER is below the line. The cause to check is a made-up shipping fee change. The action is to hold the budget for one week and read the page again on Monday.