The Type of metric of a goal decides how its progress is measured: as an amount of money (Currency), a count (Numeric), a Percentage, a yes/no outcome (Achieved / not achieved) or the combined progress of its sub-goals (Based on sub-goals). You choose it in the Configuration step of the New goal wizard, under Configure the metric. Goals where a lower value is better (sometimes called inverse, negative or reduction goals) use a Start value higher than the Target value.

Before you start

• Cascading goals (parent goals, sub-goals and the Based on sub-goals type of metric) are available on the Enterprise plan.
• To set the type of metric of a new goal, you need Goals > Create key results. To change it on an existing goal, you need to be allowed to edit the goal (Goals > Manage key results, see Get started with goals).
• Decide the starting point and the target. For example: revenue from 0 to 120,000 EUR, customer churn from 10% to 5%, or "Launch the new website" achieved or not.

Step by step

Choose the type of metric

1. Go to Performance > Goals and click New Goal (or open a goal and click Edit goal).
2. Complete the General information step and click Continue.
3. Under Configure the metric, open Type of metric and select one of the options in the table below.
4. Enter the values that the type of metric asks for (see the table).
5. Click Submit (or Edit when you are editing a goal).

Create a goal where a lower value is better

1. In Configure the metric, select Currency, Numeric or Percentage.
2. Enter a Start value higher than the Target value. Example: to reduce absenteeism from 10% to 5%, select Percentage, enter Start value 10 and Target value 5.
3. Click Submit.

As the current value goes down toward the target, the goal's progress goes up. In the example, a current value of 7.5% means 50% progress, and 5% means 100% progress.

Rules and behavior

• If the type of metric is Currency, then the Unit must be a valid currency code (such as EUR or USD) and values accept up to 2 decimals.
• If the type of metric is Numeric, then you choose the Unit from this list: Clients, Units, Items, Points, Leads, Deals.
• If you switch the type of metric to Percentage, then the Start value and Target value are pre-filled with 0 and 100. You can change both.
• If the type of metric is Achieved / not achieved, then the goal has no start or target value, and progress is either 0% (Not achieved) or 100% (Achieved).
• If the type of metric is Based on sub-goals, then the goal has no value of its own: its progress, attainment and target are calculated from its sub-goals, and nobody can update its progress manually.
• If the Start value is higher than the Target value, then progress increases as the current value decreases.
• If the Start value equals the Target value, then progress is 100% when the current value equals the target and 0% otherwise.
• If the current value moves away from the target (for example, below the start value on an increasing goal), then progress is shown as 0%. Progress is never negative.
• If the current value goes beyond the target, then progress is shown above 100% (for example 120%).
• If you change the type of metric of an existing goal, then its per-period targets are reset and you need to enter them again.
• If a goal measured Based on sub-goals already has sub-goals, then its type of metric can't be changed.

Troubleshooting

• Symptom: "I can't change the type of metric of my goal." → Cause: The goal is measured Based on sub-goals and already has sub-goals. → Fix: Unlink or delete its sub-goals first, then edit the goal.
• Symptom: "My reduction goal shows 0% even though the value improved." → Cause: The Start value was entered lower than the Target value, so the goal expects the value to grow. → Fix: Edit the goal and enter a Start value higher than the Target value.
• Symptom: "I can't type a unit like 'calls' for my numeric goal." → Cause: Numeric units come from a fixed list. → Fix: Pick the closest unit (for example Units or Items) and describe the real unit in the goal name or description.
• Symptom: "The Update progress option is missing on my goal." → Cause: Goals measured Based on sub-goals take their progress from their sub-goals. → Fix: Update the progress of the sub-goals instead.

FAQ

1. How do I create a goal to reduce churn?
Select Percentage, enter the current churn as the Start value (for example 10) and the churn you want as the Target value (for example 5). Progress increases as churn goes down.

2. Can I track a goal in dollars?
Yes. Select Currency and choose USD (or any other currency) in Unit.

3. What's the difference between Percentage and Numeric?
Percentage goals are expressed in % and, when split into periods, each period has the same target (for example 85% every quarter). Numeric goals count units and, when split into periods, the total target is distributed across the periods.

4. How do I create a goal that is just done or not done?
Select Achieved / not achieved. To complete it, update its progress and choose Achieved.

5. Can I change a goal from Numeric to Achieved / not achieved later?
Yes, by editing the goal, unless it is measured Based on sub-goals and has sub-goals. Its per-period targets are reset when you change the type.