Defining a north star metric

Every product needs a single guiding metric that reflects its core value. The north star captures the moment users experience real benefit and shows whether the product is moving in the right direction. A good north star metric is measurable, time-bound, influenced by multiple teams, and directly tied to the value proposition.

For example, Uber Eats could measure the number of successfully delivered and positively rated orders per week, not just total orders placed. This metric connects user satisfaction with company growth. Spotify might track time spent listening per user per week, which reflects both engagement and content relevance.

When writing specifications, defining or referencing the north star metric keeps priorities focused. It prevents teams from optimizing isolated tasks and ensures every feature and improvement contributes to a shared definition of success.^[1]