How to Use Metrics to Improve Product Delivery and Performance
Stop tracking everything. Start using the right data to ship faster and grow smarter.
Most founders don’t ignore metrics because they don’t care, they ignore them because they’re not sure which ones matter, or how to use them. But if you want to ship faster, build better, and grow smarter, you need to start treating metrics like feedback loop, not afterthoughts.
Today, I talk about how to use metrics to improve both product delivery and product performance without drowning in dashboards or tracking meaningless data.
As usual, let’s start with the basics.
What Are Metrics, Really?
Metrics are measurable indicators that tell you how your product, process, or business is performing over time. Think of them as signals, each one giving you a small piece of the truth so you can make better decisions.
The key difference between raw data and a useful metric is focus. Metrics are designed to track progress toward a specific goal. Done right, they show you what’s working, what’s not, and where you should focus next.
What Makes a Good Metric?
Not all metrics are useful. A good metric is:
Actionable: You can respond to it or improve it.
Time-bound: You can measure it regularly and track changes.
Relevant: It ties directly to a product or business goal.
Also, beware of vanity metrics. Vanity metrics are numbers that look good on paper but don’t drive meaningful outcomes. For example:
Tracking total signups when active usage is low
Counting page views when no one is converting
Lastly, understand the difference between:
Leading indicators: These predict future outcomes (e.g. feature adoption → retention)
Lagging indicators: These reflect past results (e.g. churn rate)
Both are important, but they serve different purposes.
The 3 Categories of Metrics You Need
1. Delivery Metrics
These metrics help you understand how efficiently your team is shipping. It is useful for founders managing product roadmaps and development cycles.
Cycle Time: How long it takes from starting work to delivering a feature
Lead Time: Time between idea and production
Deployment Frequency: How often you ship
Why they matter: They show how fast (and sustainably) you’re moving.
2. Product Performance Metrics
These show how well your product is working for users.
Activation Rate: The % of users who complete a key action
Feature Adoption: Are users using what you built?
Retention: Are they coming back?
Net Promoter Score (NPS): Would they recommend it?
Why they matter: They reveal product-market fit and usability issues.
3. Business Impact Metrics
These tie product performance to business growth.
Conversion Rate: % of users who take a valuable action
Churn Rate: % of customers who leave
Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) vs Lifetime Value (LTV)
Why they matter: They connect product to your bottom line.
Using Metrics to Improve Product Delivery
Tracking delivery metrics helps you identify where your process is breaking down. For example:
If your cycle time is creeping up, maybe your specifications aren’t clear.
If your deployment frequency is low, you may have bottlenecks in QA or dev handoffs.
When you track and review these metrics regularly, you can:
Spot blockers early
Set more realistic timelines
Improve your sprint or release planning
Using Metrics to Improve Product Performance
Metrics aren’t just for dev teams, they’re vital for making product decisions. Say a new feature has low usage. Is it:
Poorly positioned?
Hard to find?
Not solving the right problem?
Without metrics, you’re guessing. With them, you can:
Run A/B tests and track engagement
Pinpoint drop-off points in user flows
Decide what to improve, cut, or double down on
Real performance improvement starts with structured observation, not instinct.
A Lightweight Metrics Dashboard for Founders
You don’t need a fancy analytics stack to get started. For most early-stage teams, a simple dashboard with these 5 metrics is enough:
I’ll recommend these 5 Metrics and tell you why they matter.
Activation Rate - Shows how quickly new users get value from your product.
Why it matters: If users don’t experience the benefit fast, they might give up and leave.
Cycle Time - The time it takes your team to finish and deliver a feature.
Why it matters: Faster cycle time means you can get improvements and fixes to users more quickly.
Feature Adoption - How many users actually use a new feature you built.
Why it matters: If users don’t use it, that feature isn’t helping and may be a waste of effort.
Retention Rate - The percentage of users who keep coming back over time.
Why it matters: If people keep using your product, it means it’s valuable and “sticky.”
Conversion Rate - The percent of users who take an important action (like buying or signing up).
Why it matters: This shows if your product is helping grow your business and make money.
Track these weekly or bi-weekly in Notion, Google Sheets, or Airtable. Make it a habit, not a chore.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Tracking too many metrics: Focus only on what drives decisions.
Misinterpreting spikes: Look for trends, not one-time anomalies.
Chasing numbers without context: Always ask why a metric changed.
A good rule of thumb: if you’re not making decisions from it, it’s not worth tracking.
Metrics as a Strategic Advantage
At Build and Scale Studio, we treat metrics like a founder’s radar system. They don’t just measure progress, they guide it. When used intentionally, they help you:
Ship faster with fewer surprises
Build what users actually need
Align product with business goals
You don’t need to be a data scientist to use metrics well. You just need to ask the right questions and listen closely to the answers.
Do you need Help Setting Up Your Metrics?
We offer strategy sessions for founders who want to set up smarter, lighter systems for tracking what really matters. Book a free call and let’s dig into your product metrics together.