Create a Dimensioned Metric

This article outlines the process of creating a Dimensioned Metric. Dimensioned Metrics should be used when you want to show a given Measure charted over time with a Dimension drop-down list.  In this example, you'll see the process of building a Dimensioned Monthly Metric that measures sales by Sales Channel.  This example uses the Metric Editor (rather than the Wizard) to build the new metric in order to have access to advanced options.

PREREQUISITES:

  • Define your Dimension.  For more information on creating and collecting data for a Dimension, see Create a Simple Dimension
  • Construct a data fetch command that will return a data set with three columns:  
    1. The Dimension Key Value
    2. The Measurement date/time
    3. A measurement value corresponding to the specific Dimension Value and Measurement date/time  

1. Access New > Metric

Access New > Metric

Define the basic Metric information:

  1. Measured: select the measurement interval that applies to the level of aggregation that you want in your result set
  2. Since we are creating a dimensioned Metric select Dimension it by from the drop-down list below. Refer to Create a Simple Dimension for more details.
  3. Name: The system automatically generates name based on the values selected in the fields above, however, you can change it to a unique descriptive name of your choice
  4. Select the Category of a new Metric. Categories are used to group tiles at the Homepage and quickly find required elements.
  5. Next: define details to open Full Editor

1.1. Optionally, update additional fields

Metric Editor - Google Chrome
  1.  [6.1.0] As of Release 6.1.0, it is possible to flag elements and then Migrate Content using our Export/Import Migration Scripts. Click for details:  Scripted Migration via Category and Element Editors
  2. The Description field defaults from the Name, but if this is not sufficiently descriptive, you may change it
  3. Certified: Certification is a means for Admin and Power Users to identify elements that have been approved as being valid and accurate. For details refer to:  Certifying an Element
  4. Tags (are referred to as Topics in Versions prior to 5.1): Tags / Topics are used to relate elements to each other for purposes of identifying similar Charts when the See Related drop-down list in the Metric Viewer is populated allowing a more in-depth analysis of trends. For details refer to:  Create a Topic / Tag

Next: Access the Data tab

2. Define Data Collection parameters

Define Data Collection parameters
  1. Data Source: select the repository which contains your data. For more info on data sources, refer to Understanding Data Sources. We are using a SQL Database for this example.
  2. Data Collection Trigger: select a trigger that will initiate your metric data collection process. To fully configure how data collection should be triggered, see: Automating the Collection of Data
  3. SQL Statement: Enter an SQL using the format explained in the Hint next to the text box. For more details, see: Write a SQL Statement for a Dimensioned Metric
  4. Validate: click this button to verify that your SQL statement is valid.

2.1. Enter Last Measurement Time Value for Validation

Enter Last Measurement Time Value for Validation

NOTE: This pop-up only appears if you included ':last_measurement_time' in the SQL Statement field.

3. When validation is successfully completed, click 'Collect Data'

When validation is successfully completed, click 'Collect Data'
  1. If your statement is valid, the statement box is green; if there are any errors, the box is colored in red and errors are explained below the statement box.
  2. The total number of found records and an example of first one are displayed  below the statement box.
  3. Specify advanced options for collection of data
  4. To proceed with fetching data, click Collect data

3.1. Select how far back to collect the data

Select how far back to collect the data
4. [Optional] Modify default values in Charting tab
Metric Editor - Google Chrome

The Chart Settings above display the default values for a monthly metric, but are modifiable.

The Value Display fields are also modifiable.

For details on Projections, see Understanding Projections

  1. New in Version 6.2.1, you can choose to display the Average Value of the Metric on the Homepage tile rather than the data value.  This option is only available if your metric is calculating a Moving Average as part of Charting Settings.

5. Enable & publish your Metric

Enable & publish your Metric
  1. System returns last data collection date
  2. Optionally you can preview your metric
  3. Define whether this Metric should be available at the Homepage and click Enable & publish

The Metric Chart is generated and you are redirected to the Viewer

6. The Metric Chart is generated and you are redirected to the Viewer

The Metric Chart is generated and you are redirected to the Viewer

What would you like to do next?