North Star Metric

This walks you through defining a North Star Metric and the 3-5 input metrics that drive it. It starts by classifying your business into one of three games (Attention, Transaction, or Productivity), then validates your metric against seven criteria like being customer-centric, actionable, and a leading indicator of revenue. The framework is opinionated about what a North Star isn't (not revenue, not an OKR, not multiple metrics), which actually helps cut through the confusion. Use this when you're setting up a metrics framework from scratch or need to pressure test whether your current "North Star" actually meets the standard. It includes links to deeper resources on related frameworks like AARRR and HEART.

skills.sh installs: 3K
GitHub stars: 27.8K
last updated: Aug 21, 2026

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Install

$ npx -y skills add phuryn/pm-skills --skill north-star-metric --agent claude-code

Installs into .claude/skills of the current project.

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