Collaborating on Metrics and Success Criteria

cross-teamMid10–15 min
How to Use This: Run this roleplay with 2–4 people, or try it solo by taking on each role. Throw in curveballs to see how you adapt. Reflect afterward on what went well and what needs improvement.

Roleplay Scenario

Scenario Overview

You're gearing up to start a new project that involves multiple teams. The aim is to get everyone on the same page about what success means and how to measure it, ensuring clear and realistic metrics are set from the start.

Roles & Setup

Role A – Project Lead (You)
You're steering the project and need to make sure everyone is aligned on what success looks like.
Your goal: Guide the conversation to agree on practical, measurable metrics.

Role B – Marketing Representative
Your focus is on how the project impacts customer engagement and brand exposure.
Your goal: Ensure the metrics reflect marketing's objectives and impact.

Role C – Data Analyst (Optional)
You bring data insights to the table and ensure metrics are feasible.
Your goal: Help define metrics that are trackable and realistic.

Role D – Product Manager (Optional)
You focus on delivering a product that meets customer needs and expectations.
Your goal: Make sure the metrics align with product goals and user satisfaction.

Suggested Openers

Project Lead:

  • “Thanks for being here. As we kick off this project, I’d like us to agree on what success looks like and how we’ll track it.”
  • “Let’s brainstorm some key metrics that will show we’re hitting our project goals and make sure they’re doable.”

Marketing Representative:

  • “From a marketing angle, we’d love to see metrics that capture increased engagement and brand awareness. How can we make those part of our success criteria?”
  • “Our team is all about brand impact—let’s make sure that’s reflected in our success measures.”

Data Analyst:

  • “I can give insights into what’s doable with the data we have. Let’s make sure our metrics are both useful and measurable.”
  • “I’m here to help define metrics that are actionable and supported by our data.”

Product Manager:

  • “Customer satisfaction is key for us. I’d like to see metrics that reflect user feedback and product adoption.”
  • “Let’s align these metrics with our product milestones for better tracking.”

Sample Roleplay in Action

Project Lead:
“Thanks, everyone, for joining. Our goal today is to nail down what success looks like for this project and decide how we’re going to measure it. Let’s hear your thoughts.”

Marketing Representative:
“For us, increasing user engagement and social media reach are big priorities. How can we track these effectively?”

Data Analyst:
“We can definitely track engagement through our analytics tools, but let’s set realistic targets. Maybe aim for a 15% increase in interactions?”

Product Manager:
“I agree with focusing on engagement. We should also track user satisfaction and adoption rates to align with our product goals.”

Project Lead:
“Great ideas. Let’s focus on those core metrics: engagement, satisfaction, and adoption. Any specific targets or constraints we need to keep in mind?”

Marketing Representative:
“A 15% increase in social media interactions aligns with our quarterly goals. Does that seem doable?”

Data Analyst:
“Yes, that’s realistic. We should also have regular check-ins to adjust if needed.”

Product Manager:
“For product adoption, a 10% increase in active users sounds realistic. We should also gather feedback through surveys.”

Project Lead:
“Perfect. Let’s finalize these targets and set up regular reviews to track our progress. I’ll put together a summary and send it around for feedback.”

Post-Scenario Tools

Curveball Mode (Optional)

Throw in one of these to see how the team adapts:

  • A stakeholder wants to add a metric that’s hard to measure.
  • The Data Analyst finds that some data isn’t available.
  • Marketing changes their success criteria mid-discussion.

Reflection Checklist

As the Project Lead:

  • Did you keep the discussion balanced and focused?
  • Did you help clarify and prioritize metrics?
  • Did you make sure all voices were heard?

As a Participant:

  • Did you contribute constructively?
  • Did you align your suggestions with the project goals?
  • Did you stay open to other perspectives?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Taking over the conversation instead of facilitating
  • Agreeing to metrics that aren’t practical
  • Overlooking the need for cross-team alignment

Pro Tip

Focus on metrics that not only track performance but drive real outcomes. A clear understanding of success criteria strengthens team collaboration and project impact.