The hottest Metrics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The NIH and Data . . .

The Good Science Project • 22 implied HN points • 25 Dec 24
🔬 Science Metrics
  1. The NIH is starting a program to give scholars access to its internal data. This will help them answer important questions about the economic impact and effectiveness of research policies.
  2. They are creating a new metric called the S-index to reward scientists for sharing data with the wider community. This aims to encourage more collaboration rather than just focusing on personal achievements.
  3. The NIH is offering a $1 million prize for innovative ideas on how to implement the S-index metric, encouraging creativity and participation from the scientific community.

Unintended Consequences

Fish Food for Thought • 21 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
💼 Business Metrics
  1. Making changes based on certain metrics can lead to unexpected problems. For example, Wells Fargo's sales goals pushed employees to open fake accounts.
  2. Good intentions behind laws and incentives can sometimes backfire. The Cobra Effect shows how trying to control a cobra population led to more snakes instead.
  3. It's important to regularly rethink our goals and how we measure success. Metrics can guide us, but we must also consider their potential downsides and the bigger picture.

The Startup CTO's Handbook | Zach Goldberg

Dev Interrupted • 37 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. The core sections of The Startup CTO's Handbook include Management Fundamentals, Technical Leadership Concepts, and Hard Technology Decisions.
  2. Conducting career history interviews when hiring can reveal a candidate's mindset and how they handle challenges.
  3. Engineering leaders can stay technically relevant by reviewing pull requests and taking courses, even when not coding regularly.

Applying the Core 4 (Part 1)

Engineering Enablement • 12 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. Use a survey to gather Core 4 metrics easily. It's designed for simplicity, so anyone can set it up.
  2. Calculate your metrics by averaging survey responses for Speed, Quality, and Impact. For Effectiveness, look at the positive responses overall.
  3. Once you have your results, compare them with industry benchmarks to see how you're doing. This helps you understand your team's performance better.
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Episode 38: Better Built By Burkhard

burkhardstubert • 19 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. Continuous Delivery (CD) means making software ready for users quickly and consistently. It's important for teams to measure their progress with metrics to see how well they are doing.
  2. High-performance teams benefit from focusing on both stability and throughput to deliver great software. Balancing these two areas helps reduce bugs while keeping updates frequent.
  3. Setting clear goals for deployment and recovery times can lead to better software and happier customers. Fast response to issues helps retain customer trust and satisfaction.

Introducing the DX Core 4

Engineering Enablement • 14 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. The DX Core 4 is a new framework that combines existing models like DORA, SPACE, and DevEx to measure developer productivity more effectively. It aims to give clear guidance on what companies should measure.
  2. This framework focuses on four main areas: speed, effectiveness, quality, and impact, each with specific metrics to help organizations understand and improve their developer processes.
  3. The DX Core 4 is intended to be transparent and helpful for developers, promoting conversations around their challenges rather than using metrics against them.

Five ways to improve developer experience in web3

web3 devx • 2 HN points • 05 May 24
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. Developer Experience (DevX) is crucial in web3 as it drives transaction volume, TVL, and revenue.
  2. Great DevX involves creating a North Star Metric, focusing on Developer Moments of Truth (DMOT), and structuring documentation around key use cases.
  3. To improve DevX, companies should over-engineer solutions for the unhappy path, leverage the community through grants, airdrops, and bug bounty programs.

The Hero Culture Trap | Sowmya Subramanian

Dev Interrupted • 9 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. Building a good team means moving from putting out fires to being proactive. Focus on planning ahead so your team doesn’t always have to deal with emergencies.
  2. Rushing to ship new features isn't always best. Sometimes, following others and quickly adapting ideas can work better in the long run.
  3. When writing code, clear instructions lead to better results. If you’re vague, your code might end up messy and confused.

Rolling out developer productivity metrics

Engineering Enablement • 7 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. Communicate openly with leaders about new productivity metrics to avoid surprises. It's important to have conversations, not just send emails, to build trust.
  2. Be clear about what the metrics cover to reduce fear. Focus on process-related data, and explain how it helps teams improve.
  3. Invest time in change management, as it’s crucial for success. Engage key players early, ask for their input, and keep everyone informed through various channels.

Three Dimensions of Developer Productivity

Engineering Enablement • 31 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. Developer productivity can be conceptualized through three dimensions: Velocity, Quality, and Satisfaction.
  2. Leaders should clarify their goals for measuring productivity by considering stakeholders, level of measurement, and time period.
  3. Transitioning from dimensions to selecting metrics can be done using the Goals, Signals, Metrics approach.

Clouded Judgement 1.5.24

Clouded Judgement • 24 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
💰 Finance Metrics
  1. Software stocks have seen a drop in the start of the year due to rising interest rates.
  2. Valuation of SaaS businesses is generally done based on revenue multiples for the next 12 months.
  3. The growth rate of a company plays a significant role in determining its valuation multiple.

Applying the SPACE Framework

Engineering Enablement • 23 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. The SPACE Framework for developer productivity includes dimensions like satisfaction, performance, activity, communication, and efficiency.
  2. SPACE is useful for software organization leaders defining productivity, teams seeking comprehensive measurements, and leaders involving teams in productivity improvement.
  3. Implementing SPACE involves understanding various metrics, balancing workflow and perception measurements, and considering the holistic approach to developer productivity.

The value-destroying potential of AI

Apperceptive (moved to buttondown) • 32 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. Many businesses struggle to measure the true value of implementing AI solutions.
  2. The key problem lies in defining and measuring what 'good driving' or 'good writing' actually means.
  3. Executives should be cautious about overly relying on AI like ChatGPT for creative tasks, as they may miss out on the unique perspectives and insights that humans offer.

Week 27 - 📈 📊 How to Develop and Write KPIs: A Guide for Product Managers 📋

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 40 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
💼 Business Metrics
  1. KPIs and metrics help product managers track product performance and areas for improvement.
  2. Developing effective KPIs involves aligning them with business objectives and defining specific metrics.
  3. Choosing the right KPIs and metrics is crucial for measuring progress, making data-driven decisions, and communicating with stakeholders.

Three-Bucket Framework for Engineering Metrics

Engineering Enablement • 38 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. Deciding what metrics to track and report to stakeholders is a common challenge for engineering leaders.
  2. Reframing the problem and using a three-bucket framework can help in choosing relevant engineering metrics.
  3. The three buckets for engineering metrics include business impact, system performance, and developer effectiveness.

Input Metrics for SEO

The SEO MBA • 32 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
💼 Business Metrics
  1. SEO success depends on more than just the SEO team - it's a cross-functional effort.
  2. Use input metrics, not just output metrics, to drive buy-in for SEO programs.
  3. Choosing measurable input metrics and evolving them over time helps predict success and guide actions for SEO programs.

Applying the DevEx framework

Engineering Enablement • 14 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. The DevEx framework focuses on the lived experiences of developers by measuring feedback loops, cognitive load, and flow state to enhance developer productivity.
  2. Teams interested in using metrics to improve developer productivity, such as platform engineering teams, engineering managers, and engineering executives, can benefit from implementing the DevEx framework.
  3. To successfully implement the DevEx framework, organizations should focus on getting feedback from developers, setting targets, driving impact through projects, running experiments, and then measuring progress to improve developer experience and productivity.

How We Drive Developer Productivity at Yelp | with Kent Wills, Director of Engineering, Engineering Effectiveness at Yelp

platocommunity • 2 HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. Engineering Effectiveness at Yelp aims to boost engineering capacity through organizational efficiency, working on projects to enhance workflows and systems, like 'paved paths' inspired by Netflix.
  2. Yelp dealt with challenges like transitioning from a monolith to a service-oriented architecture, focusing on issues such as maintaining consistent styles, testing across service boundaries, and facilitating migrations.
  3. The current state of Yelp's Engineering Effectiveness involves supporting web development, improving language support, automating code migrations, and prioritizing better observability of debt and engineering value.

Five levers to increase app users

A Bit Gamey • 13 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
💼 Business Metrics
  1. Measure key metrics like visits, sign-ups, value realization, retention, and evangelists to drive app user growth
  2. Focus on engaging visitors quickly as they might leave if the app is not easy to understand
  3. Convert visitors into sign-ups and focus on understanding user demographics and motivations behind sign-ups

Cultivating a Culture of Excellence

Fish Food for Thought • 15 implied HN points • 31 May 23
💼 Business Metrics
  1. Empowering teams leads to fostering a culture of excellence by giving them real authority and accountability.
  2. Effective measurement systems are crucial in building a culture of excellence, focusing on metrics that truly matter to the business.
  3. Hiring, nurturing, and weeding out team members are strategic decisions that significantly impact an organization's future in cultivating a culture of excellence.

DORA metrics simplified

Laszlo’s Newsletter • 10 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. DORA metrics simplify measuring speed, quality, and agility in organizations.
  2. Key metrics include Lead Time for Changes, Change Failure Rate, and Time to Restore Service.
  3. Implementing general code quality best practices can help in capturing meaningful metrics.

Data Activation in Venture Capital | Dawn Capital

nonamevc • 8 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
💼 Business Metrics
  1. Exploring data activation in venture capital is crucial for transforming VC operations
  2. Tech and data play a critical role in shaping modern VC firms to enhance operational aspects
  3. Utilizing data, AI, and advanced tech, such as LLMs, can revolutionize relationship building and dealflow in VC

Clouded Judgement 5.19.23

Clouded Judgement • 13 implied HN points • 19 May 23
💼 Business Metrics
  1. Cloud software companies saw a boost in stock prices, but operating performance is not as positive.
  2. Companies added less new ARR in Q1 '23 compared to the previous year, indicating a headwind in new bookings.
  3. Median revenue growth rate declined in Q1 '23, along with net retention rates, CAC payback periods, but FCF margins showed improvement.

A Look Back at Q1 '23 Public Cloud Software Earnings

Clouded Judgement • 12 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
💼 Business Metrics
  1. Analysis of Q1 public cloud software earnings provides insights for startup entrepreneurs on managing their businesses.
  2. Indications suggest a potential bottoming phase in the software industry with hopes for reacceleration by the year's end.
  3. Metrics such as revenue performance, growth, and sales efficiency play key roles in evaluating the success of a quarter for cloud businesses.

26/36 : 🚀📝 Product Pitch Deck Framework

Product Mindset's Newsletter • 11 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
💼 Business Metrics
  1. Focus on building something that a small number of users love, rather than aiming for a large number of users who just like your product.
  2. A pitch deck should provide a clear and concise overview of your startup, focusing on key areas like problem, solution, market, product, team, competition, and financial projections.
  3. Key to a successful pitch deck is clarity, differentiation, and convincing the audience of your idea's high potential and chances of success.

Measuring Developer Productivity

Fish Food for Thought • 10 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. Measuring developer productivity involves considering effort, output, outcome, and impact.
  2. Impact is crucial to measure, but it should be team-based rather than individual-based to avoid unhealthy competition.
  3. Software development should focus on ensuring people are well, working within constraints, and achieving impactful outcomes.

Clouded Judgement 5.26.23

Clouded Judgement • 12 implied HN points • 26 May 23
💼 Business Metrics
  1. Snowflake reported weakening consumption trends in April/May compared to Feb/March.
  2. The change in data retention policies by customers was a big factor in consumption weakness for Snowflake.
  3. Snowflake's report raises questions about the anticipated acceleration in consumption software and highlights the volatility of consumption models.

Clouded Judgement 6.23.23 - Atlas Consumption and Q1 Earnings Trends

Clouded Judgement • 10 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
💰 Finance Metrics
  1. MongoDB Atlas consumption trends showed a drop in Q2 of last year but picked up in Q1 and may continue. Monitoring this trend is key.
  2. Quarterly metrics trends like growth, net retention, sales efficiency, and FCF margins have been fluctuating in the recent quarters.
  3. Valuation metrics like EV/NTM revenue multiples and growth rates are important for understanding the relative valuation of software companies.

Operating Yield

The Valley of Dunning-Kruger • 8 implied HN points • 10 May 23
💼 Business Metrics
  1. Operating Yield compares a company's Net New ARR production to its total expenses, showing efficiency in growth.
  2. Operating Yield can be used on any SaaS business, making it a versatile efficiency metric.
  3. Operating Yield, along with Magic Number and Efficiency Score, forms a comprehensive analysis trifecta for evaluating growth efficiency.

TWH#S6: What I Read This Week

The Hagakure • 8 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
💼 Business Metrics
  1. Tech companies often struggle with planning and hitting targets despite available wisdom.
  2. Being a great manager of managers involves coaching, developing the team, and sensing the organization.
  3. Life and work should focus on enjoying the journey, not just winning finite games.

Tiered Availability Review

software + caffeine = blog • 1 HN point • 17 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Metrics
  1. Having regular forums within your engineering organization is crucial for driving accountability for availability.
  2. Different levels of availability reviews cater to specific audiences and purposes, from individual engineering teams to executives.
  3. Building momentum for these forums requires buy-in from engineering teams, executives, and directors, and it's essential for sustaining the process.

The ugly, unspoken truth of being VC funded

Mehdeeka • 3 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
💼 Business Metrics
  1. Startups and VCs prioritize lowering marketing spend to increase revenue
  2. Marketers should focus on showcasing their impact and collaborating with other teams
  3. Think like a VC when evaluating marketing efforts, tying them to revenue and strategic metrics

Clouded Judgement 1.19.24 - The Bar for Going Public

Clouded Judgement • 2 HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Metrics
  1. The bar for going public is set very high, with companies needing impressive metrics like $200m ARR, 50% YoY growth, and over 120% net retention.
  2. New IPOs face challenges like concentrated ownership, lower liquidity, high stock dilution, and the need to build trust with public market investors.
  3. Startups aiming to go public should focus on metrics attractive to public market investors, including understanding stock compensation and equity dilution.

Discover the Hidden Insights: Are Product Engagement Metrics Indicator of Supercharged Growth?

Build Startup In Public • 1 HN point • 30 Apr 24
💼 Business Metrics
  1. Product engagement metrics like daily and monthly active users help show how much people enjoy using the product. Higher engagement often leads to more users spreading the word about the product.
  2. Engaged users can become strong advocates for your product, which can help it grow faster. They share their experiences and bring in new users, making the product more viral.
  3. Focusing too heavily on DAUs and MAUs can be misleading. It's important to understand what really reflects user value, as this can vary based on the product and its stage of development.