CHAPTER 015 min
Define the six metrics
Pick the six numbers that describe the business. No more.
DO THIS
- MRR
- Net-new MRR
- Gross retention
- Cash runway
- Pipeline coverage
- Top-3 open risks
TIP
Six is a limit, not a target. If four works, use four.
NEXT CHAPTER
02 · Wire the data sources
CHAPTER 028 min
Wire the data sources
Each metric has one source of truth. No conflicting numbers.
DO THIS
- Confirm the billing feed
- Confirm the CRM feed
- Confirm the churn logic
TIP
The moment two numbers disagree, both are wrong until you reconcile.
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03 · Build the dashboard
CHAPTER 036 min
Build the dashboard
One screen. Six panels. Readable in ten seconds.
DO THIS
- Build in Revenue Intelligence
- Confirm auto-refresh
- Share with the leadership team
TIP
If it doesn't fit on a laptop screen, the design is wrong.
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04 · Add the trend context
CHAPTER 045 min
Add the trend context
Every number needs a trend beside it. “Up from what?” matters more than the value.
DO THIS
- Add 30-day sparklines
- Add YoY comparisons where relevant
TIP
A number without a comparison is a rounding error.
NEXT CHAPTER
05 · Weekly leadership review
CHAPTER 055 min
Weekly leadership review
The dashboard is opened every Monday, 9am, together.
DO THIS
- Schedule the standing meeting
- Rotate who narrates
- Log the three biggest observations
TIP
Rotating the narrator forces everyone to actually read it.
NEXT CHAPTER
06 · Quarterly board packet
CHAPTER 065 min
Quarterly board packet
The board packet writes itself from the dashboard.
DO THIS
- Export the panels
- Add exec commentary
- Ship 48 hours before the board meets
TIP
The board reads the packet in advance if it lands 48 hours early. Any later and they don't.
WRAP UP
You've reached the outcome.
A one-glance answer to “how is the business doing?”