Atlassian

Atlassian - Goals, Signals, and Measures

Define success using Goals, Signals, and Measures (GSM). Identify what you're trying to achieve, how you'll know you're making progress, and how you'll track it. This framework ensures your team focuses on measuring what truly matters.

Duration
1.5 hours
Group Size
5-10
Category
Atlassian
Difficulty
Easy
Participants will:

  • Define clear, actionable goals.

  • Identify leading indicators of progress.

  • Create measurable metrics for each signal.

  • Align on clear success criteria.

Participants will leave with:

  • Clearly defined Goals, Signals, and Measures.

  • A clear success framework.

  • A solid foundation for ongoing evaluation.

Signals are often more useful than raw measures. They provide early indications of progress. Focus on leading indicators. Be wary of vanity metrics that look good but don't reflect real progress. Double-check that your defined measures are actually trackable with the data you have available. Sometimes, you need to adjust the signal slightly to match available data.

  1. Clarify Goals (20 min):


  • What are we trying to achieve?

  • Why does this goal matter?

  • Who benefits from achieving this goal?


  1. Identify Signals (30 min):


  • What indicates we're making progress toward our goals?

  • What behaviors or outcomes suggest success?

  • Focus on leading indicators, not lagging ones.


  1. Define Measures (30 min):


  • How will we measure each signal?

  • What data do we need to collect?

  • What's our target for each measure?

  • How often will we check the measures?


  1. Review and Commit (10 min):


  • Does this GSM framework capture what truly matters?

  • Is each element measurable?

  • Will we commit to tracking these measures regularly?

Unlock Step-by-Step Instructions

Create a free account to access step-by-step instructions, agendas, and resources for all activities.

For Facilitators

  • Review participant profiles and expectations
  • Prepare all materials and supplies
  • Test technology and room setup

For Participants

  • Complete pre-session survey
  • Review background materials
  • Prepare examples or case studies

Unlock Pre-Work Requirements

Create a free account to access step-by-step instructions, agendas, and resources for all activities.


  • Whiteboard or collaborative document (e.g., Google Docs, Miro)

  • GSM template (digital or print)

  • Information about available data sources

Unlock Materials Required

Create a free account to access step-by-step instructions, agendas, and resources for all activities.

Atlassian - GSM Play
Official Atlassian guide to Goals, Signals, and Measures.
Google HEART Framework
Related framework for measuring user experience metrics.
GSM Template - Confluence
Confluence template for documenting GSM.

Unlock Resources & Templates

Create a free account to access step-by-step instructions, agendas, and resources for all activities.

Discussion

0/2000
Loading comments...

Related Exercises

See all exercises

Atlassian-Customer Journey Mapping

2 hours

Map your customer's end-to-end experience with your product or service. This exercise helps teams grasp customer needs, pain points, and opportunities...

Atlassian

Atlassian - OKRs & Key Results

2 hours

OKRs help teams set ambitious goals and track progress. Align your team and organization around measurable results that focus on what matters.

Atlassian

Atlassian-Empathy Mapping

1 hour

Use Atlassian's empathy mapping to turn customer insights into improvements. This structured exercise explores personas and pain points. It ensures ne...

Atlassian