Codermetrics

Name

Wins

Synopsis

Purpose

Measure the number of active users added.

Formula

Wins = Sum (User Activations)

Example

A new software release is issued at the end of June. The following new user activations are recorded for the three months following release:

Month of July: 225 new user activations

Month of August: 270 new user activations

Month of September: 350 new user activations

The number of Wins for the software release can then be calculated as follows:

Wins in July = 225

Wins in August = 270

Wins in September = 350

Total Wins at end of August = (225 + 270) = 495

Total Wins at end of September = (225 + 270 + 350) = 845

You can also evaluate the Average number of Wins:

Average Wins per month at end of August = (225 + 270) / 2 = 247.5

Average Wins per month at end of September = (225 + 270 + 350) / 3 = 281.7

Notes

There are a variety of ways you might calculate Wins. The most important point, however, is that you should have a Win metric. It is surprising how many software teams do not keep track of some fundamental measure of success, such as the number of customers or users. If you don’t like the specific formula presented here, I still suggest you choose and establish a metric to use as your basic measure of progress and achievement.

Why not just call it the “New Users” metric, rather than calling it Wins? As with other metrics presented in this book, I like to use conceptual names for metrics, which I think makes them more memorable, easier to discuss, and also helps everyone understand the purpose ...