Just wanted to highlight this concept I introduced in the “You’ve Got Events, Now What?” series this week on collecting and organizing metrics for use in commuicating a message via a dashboard, report, graph, chart, etc.
I haven’t seen anything like this before in a vendor product or messaging. I’d think it could be a part of a service catalog. If you’ve seen something like this, add to the conversation!
See the post here where I’ve introduced the concept and include a sample “Metrics Catalog” spreadsheet.
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Hi! We used a “metrics catalog”(what we called it, too) about 8 years ago when I worked at Amazon.com(in their IT dept). We captured most of the same info you listed. I’ve seen numerous cases of use by others, as well, though usually in a less-detailed format than you proposed. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, a metrics catalog is suggested by ITIL, IT CMMI and/or HDI.
Nonetheless, I do love your article. Probably the best presentation of the topic I’ve seen in a long, long time. I’m bookmarking it!
Thanks!
Russ
Seattle, WA
Thanks for commenting Russ!
I’d love to see any examples you may have. One thing that’s really stuck with me recently is asking “What’s the Purpose (Value, Need, Return on Effort, etc.) of this Metric?” Seeking only those that have significant importance to those collecting them and those using them (if they even do). There’s considerable “brain-drain” by those who have to collect, maintain and vouch for the validity of metrics these days that keeping them focused on only what’s really important should be key.
Something that really seems most useful from the Metrics Catalog concept is the immediate linkage (and follow on agreement with all parties) between the IT and Business and vice versa. If you can establish the importance to both parties and cause/effect relationships between changes in the metric (increase/decrease, speed up/slow down, etc.) and how that may impact IT or Business areas you’re soon to progress up the Business Service Management (BSM) maturity model.
I’d enjoy hearing what you’re up to in your current role.
Thanks!
Doug