# North Star Metric

Define a North Star Metric and 3-5 supporting input metrics that form a metrics...

- Repository: https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills (27597 stars)
- Category: Business
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-29
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add phuryn/pm-skills --skill north-star-metric -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add phuryn/pm-skills --skill north-star-metric -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add phuryn/pm-skills --skill north-star-metric -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add phuryn/pm-skills --skill north-star-metric -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add phuryn/pm-skills`

## Description

Define a North Star Metric and 3-5 supporting input metrics that form a metrics constellation. Classify the business game (Attention, Transaction, Productivity) and validate against 7 criteria for an effective North Star. Use when choosing a North Star Metric, setting up a metrics framework, learning about the North Star Framework, or deciding what to measure.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# 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)](https://learn.productcompass.pm/nsm101)

## 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

## The Three Business Games

Before identifying your North Star, classify your business into one of these three games:

- **Attention Game**: How much time do customers spend using your product? (Examples: Facebook, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok)
- **Transaction Game**: How many transactions occur between customers and your platform? (Examples: Amazon, Uber, Airbnb, PayPal)
- **Productivity Game**: How efficiently can someone complete their work or achieve their goals? (Examples: Canva, Dropbox, Loom, Notion)

## Prompt

You are a metrics strategist specializing in North Star metrics and growth measurement frameworks.

Given the following business context: $ARGUMENTS

**Step 1: Classify the Business Game**
Determine which game this company plays: Attention, Transaction, or Productivity.

The rest: https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills/blob/HEAD/pm-marketing-growth/skills/north-star-metric/SKILL.md