> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.intellikon.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Metrics

> Define a business measure once, so every report and monitor counts it the same way.

A metric is a named measure, such as an on-time rate or total revenue, worked out from one data source. You define it once and reports and monitors reuse it, so everyone counts the same thing in the same way. A metric starts as a draft and is only offered to reports and monitors once it is approved.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Draft" icon="pencil-line">Being worked on, and not yet offered to reports or monitors.</Card>
  <Card title="Approved" icon="badge-check">Ready to use, and its formula and unit can no longer change.</Card>
  <Card title="Archived" icon="archive">No longer offered for new work; anything already using it keeps working.</Card>
</CardGroup>

## Before you start

You need a [data source](/products/prism/data-sources) with confirmed columns. Tenant Owners, Workspace Admins and Workspace Members can create metrics. Only Tenant Owners and Workspace Admins can approve or archive one.

## Create a metric

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/intellikon-ai-ltd/wM16d87Um0QW2CyJ/images/prism/new-metric.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=wM16d87Um0QW2CyJ&q=85&s=9bbf5fcf0772c4a5ea8b514429b748dc" alt="The New metric form, empty, with Identity, Data source, Formula and Display." width="1680" height="1600" data-path="images/prism/new-metric.png" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start">
    Select **Metrics**, then **+ New metric**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name it">
    Under **Identity**, enter a **Name**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Describe it">
    Enter a **Description** so others know what it measures.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the data">
    Under **Data source**, choose the source it is worked out from.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build the formula">
    Under **Formula**, choose **Aggregate** to add up, average or count one column, **Ratio** to divide one column by another, or **Composite** to write your own expression.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose how it shows">
    Under **Display**, choose the **Unit**, such as **percentage** or **currency**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Select **Save as draft**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

The metric now shows in your **Metrics** list as a draft. Tenant Owners and Workspace Admins can select **Save & approve** instead, to save it and go straight on to approving it. Next, [build a report](/products/prism/reports) that uses it.

## Find a metric

Select **Metrics**. Search by name, or use **All data sources** and **All governance** to show one source or one state, such as **Approved**.

Next, [set rules for what Prism may do](/products/prism/governance).

## Troubleshooting

<Accordion title="Save as draft stays greyed out">
  Enter a **Name**, choose a **Data source** and finish the formula. All three are needed.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="A metric is not offered when you build a report or monitor">
  Only approved metrics are offered, and only for their own data source. Ask a Tenant Owner or Workspace Admin to approve it.
</Accordion>