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Metrics Catalog ​

A reference of your organization's metrics with the ability to create, edit, and import.

Why a Catalog is Needed ​

The metrics catalog is a centralized repository of information about all indicators used by the team. It serves as a mini-wiki for documenting:

  • Which metrics are used in experiments
  • What type each metric is (conversion, numeric, ratio)
  • How composite metrics are calculated (formulas)
  • Brief description of the metric's purpose

Important: The catalog is a reference system. Experiments are analyzed based on uploaded data, independently of the catalog.

Types of Metrics ​

Understanding metric types is critically important for correct statistical analysis. When the system analyzes uploaded data, it applies different methods depending on the metric type.

1. Conversion (Conversion Metrics) ​

Binary metrics that measure the fact of performing or not performing an action.

Characteristics:

  • Take values of 0 or 1 for each user
  • Measure the proportion of users who performed the target action
  • Result is expressed as a percentage (from 0% to 100%)

Examples:

  • registration_rate — proportion of users who completed registration
  • purchase_conversion — proportion of users who made a purchase
  • button_click — proportion of users who clicked the button

Data format:

text
user_id,group,registration_completed
user_1,control,0
user_2,control,1
user_3,treatment,1

Interpretation: change in percentage points (10% → 12% = +2 pp)

2. Numeric (Numerical Metrics) ​

Continuous metrics that measure quantitative indicators per randomization unit.

Characteristics:

  • Can take any numeric values
  • Measure the average value of the indicator per randomization unit (usually per user)
  • Allow tracking the intensity of actions

Examples:

  • revenue_per_user — average revenue per user
  • session_duration — average session duration
  • page_views_per_user — average number of page views per user

Data format:

text
user_id,group,revenue,session_duration
user_1,control,0,120.5
user_2,control,49.99,340.2
user_3,treatment,129.99,450.8

Interpretation: change in average value per randomization unit

3. Ratio (Ratio Metrics) ​

Metrics that are calculated not per randomization unit.

Characteristics:

  • Calculated as a ratio of two numeric metrics
  • Aggregated not by randomization unit
  • Require special statistical processing

Examples:

  • average_order_value = revenue / orders — average order value (per order, not per user)
  • ctr = clicks / impressions — click-through rate (per impression, not per user)
  • revenue_per_session = revenue / sessions — revenue per session (per session, not per user)

Creating ratio metrics:

Ratio metrics do not need to be supplied in the data in advance — they are created on the fly in the experiment analysis interface based on existing numeric metrics:

  1. Open the experiment analysis section
  2. Select "Add ratio metric"
  3. Specify the formula: numerator / denominator
  4. The system will calculate the metric with correct statistics

Interpretation: change in average value per another aggregation unit

Why Metric Types Matter ​

The correct metric type is critically important for correct statistical analysis. The system applies different methods depending on the metric type.

Sample size:

  • Different metric types require different sample sizes
  • Ratio usually requires a larger sample size due to additional variability

Correctness of conclusions:

  • Wrong type will lead to incorrect p-values and confidence intervals
  • The metrics catalog helps document the correct types for use in future experiments

Viewing Metrics ​

Open Metrics Catalog via the sidebar menu. You will see a table with columns:

  • Type — conversion, numeric, or ratio
  • Name — metric identifier
  • Description — explanation of purpose (if filled in)
  • Formula — how the metric is calculated (if specified)

The table is automatically sorted by type, then by name. You can change sorting with buttons in the header.

Creating a Metric ​

Click "Add Metric". In the modal window, fill in:

Name (required, up to 50 characters):

  • Use snake_case: conversion_rate, revenue_per_user
  • Name must be unique
  • Recommended to match column names in data

Type (required):

  • conversion — binary events (0/1): registration, purchase, click
  • numeric — numerical indicators per randomization unit: revenue per user, session time
  • ratio — ratios aggregated not by randomization unit: average order value, CTR

Description (optional, up to 300 characters):

  • Explain what the metric measures
  • Indicate the context of use
  • Add notes for the team

Formula (optional, up to 100 characters):

  • For conversion: fixation condition (user_registered = 1)
  • For numeric: calculation method (sum(revenue) per user)
  • For ratio: mathematical expression (revenue / orders)

After filling in, click "Save". The metric will appear in the table.

Editing a Metric ​

Hover over the metric row — a menu button [...] will appear on the right. Click it and select "Edit".

In the modal window, you can change all fields, including the metric type. Changes apply only to the reference — uploaded experiment data is not affected.

Click "Save" to apply changes.

Deleting a Metric ​

Only organization administrators can delete metrics.

Hover over the metric row, open the menu [...] and select "Delete". Confirm the action in the dialog box.

Deletion is irreversible, but does not affect historical experiment data where this metric was used.

Importing Metrics ​

When uploading experiment data, the system automatically analyzes column headers and suggests importing new metrics into the catalog.

Import process:

  1. The system compares data columns with metrics in the catalog
  2. Finds new metrics (not in the catalog)
  3. Automatically determines the type based on data:
    • If all values are 0 or 1 → conversion
    • Otherwise → numeric
  4. Shows a modal window with a list of found metrics
  5. You choose which metrics to add to the catalog

Important points:

  • Import to catalog is optional — data will be analyzed anyway
  • After import, it's recommended to check types and add descriptions

The system does not create duplicates — if a metric with that name already exists, it is skipped.

Best Practices ​

Name standardization: Agree on a unified naming format in the team. For example, use prefixes for grouping: payment_conversion, payment_revenue, payment_refunds.

Documentation: Fill in descriptions for all key metrics. This helps new team members quickly understand what is being measured.

Updating: Periodically audit the catalog — remove unused metrics, update descriptions of outdated ones.

AB-Labz - Product Experiments Laboratory