North Star Metric
- 2k installs
- 24.9k repo stars
- Updated July 3, 2026
- phuryn/pm-skills
north-star-metric defines one customer-centric North Star and supporting input metrics for a business game type.
About
The north-star-metric skill helps teams pick a single customer-centric North Star Metric (NSM) plus 3-5 supporting input metrics. NSM is not revenue/LTV, not multiple KPIs, and not an OKR by itself, but a leading indicator of customer value and long-term success. Step 1 classifies the business game: Attention (time spent), Transaction (platform transactions), or Productivity (work efficiency). Step 2 proposes an NSM meeting seven criteria including easy to understand, measurable, customer-centric, and actionable. Includes NSM 101 PDF reference and triggers on north star, key metric, metrics framework, and OMTM. Use when defining company metrics frameworks, evaluating NSM candidates, or setting up growth measurement systems.
- Classifies Attention, Transaction, or Productivity business games first.
- Single customer-centric NSM plus 3-5 input metrics constellation.
- Validates candidates against seven effective North Star criteria.
- Distinguishes NSM from revenue metrics, OKRs, and multi-metric dashboards.
- Strategic metrics framework for growth measurement and optimization.
North Star Metric by the numbers
- 1,951 all-time installs (skills.sh)
- +85 installs in the week ending Aug 5, 2026 (Skillselion tracking)
- Ranked #249 of 3,282 Productivity & Planning skills by installs in the Skillselion catalog
- Security screen: LOW risk (skills.sh audit)
- Data as of Aug 5, 2026 (Skillselion catalog sync)
north-star-metric capabilities & compatibility
- Capabilities
- business game classification · nsm candidate evaluation · input metrics constellation design · seven criteria validation · strategic measurement framing
- Use cases
- planning · project management · marketing
npx skills add https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills --skill north-star-metricAdd your badge
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| Installs | 2k |
|---|---|
| repo stars | ★ 24.9k |
| Security audit | 3 / 3 scanners passed |
| Last updated | July 3, 2026 |
| Repository | phuryn/pm-skills ↗ |
What should our North Star Metric and input metrics be for this business?
Define a North Star Metric and 3-5 input metrics constellation by classifying Attention, Transaction, or Productivity business games.
Who is it for?
Founders and PMs establishing or revisiting company-wide metrics frameworks.
Skip if: Weekly OKR drafting without strategic NSM selection (related but different artifact).
When should I use this skill?
User mentions North Star metric, metrics framework, OMTM, or what to measure.
What you get
A classified business game, proposed NSM, and 3-5 input metrics meeting seven quality criteria.
By the numbers
- Defines 3-5 input metrics alongside one North Star
- Validates metrics against 7 effectiveness criteria
- Classifies 3 business game types: Attention, Transaction, Productivity
Files
North Star Metric
Identify a North Star Metric and 3-5 Input Metrics that form a metrics constellation. Classifies the business game being played and validates against criteria for an effective North Star. Use when defining key metrics, setting up a metrics framework, or choosing what to measure.
Domain Context
NSM is NOT: multiple metrics, a revenue/LTV metric (must be customer-centric), an OKR (that's a goal-setting technique), or a strategy (but choosing the right NSM is a strategic choice).
NSM IS: a single, customer-centric KPI that reflects the value customers get from the product and serves as a leading indicator of long-term business success. You can use Key Results (OKRs) to express expected change in NSM.
Free resource: The North Star Framework 101 (PDF)
When to Use
- Defining your company's key metric framework
- Setting up a metrics tracking system
- Choosing what to measure and optimize for
- Evaluating potential North Star candidates
- Triggers: North Star metric, north star, key metric, what to measure, metrics framework, OMTM
The Three Business Games
Before identifying your North Star, classify your business into one of these three games:
- Attention Game: How much time do customers spend using your product? (Examples: Facebook, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok)
- Transaction Game: How many transactions occur between customers and your platform? (Examples: Amazon, Uber, Airbnb, PayPal)
- Productivity Game: How efficiently can someone complete their work or achieve their goals? (Examples: Canva, Dropbox, Loom, Notion)
Prompt
You are a metrics strategist specializing in North Star metrics and growth measurement frameworks.
Given the following business context: $ARGUMENTS
Step 1: Classify the Business Game Determine which game this company plays: Attention, Transaction, or Productivity.
Step 2: Identify the North Star Metric Suggest a single metric that meets all seven criteria for an effective North Star:
1. Easy to Understand: Clear definition that everyone in the organization comprehends 2. Customer-Centric: Reflects value delivered to customers, not just revenue or activity 3. Sustainable Value: Indicates habits and long-term customer engagement 4. Vision Alignment: Represents meaningful progress toward the company's vision and mission 5. Quantitative: Measurable with clear, numeric tracking 6. Actionable: Teams can directly influence it through product, marketing, and operational changes 7. Leading Indicator: Predicts future business success and revenue growth
Step 3: Identify Input Metrics Define 3-5 Input Metrics (also called leading indicators) that most directly influence and drive the North Star Metric. Each input metric should:
- Be easier to move in the short term
- Directly contribute to the North Star outcome
- Help identify where optimization efforts should focus
Tips for Best Results
- Provide details about your business model and revenue model
- Share your company's vision, mission, or long-term goals
- Include current metrics you're tracking
- Mention key customer segments and use cases
- Describe the primary value you deliver to customers
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Further Reading
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FAQ
What are the three business games?
Attention (time spent), Transaction (platform transactions), and Productivity (efficiency completing work).
Can NSM be revenue or LTV?
No. NSM must be customer-centric and reflect value delivered, not a revenue lagging indicator.
How many input metrics should accompany NSM?
Typically 3-5 input metrics forming a metrics constellation that drives the North Star.
Is North Star Metric safe to install?
skills.sh reports 3 of 3 security scanners passed. Review the Security Audits panel on this page before installing in production.