Workplace glossary

What is Vanity Metric?

Definition & practical guide1 min read

A vanity metric is a number that flatters a report without changing what anyone should do. Total bookings can look strong, for example, while actual check-ins reveal that many desks are being reserved and left empty.

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The fix is to pair broad numbers with behaviour metrics: utilisation, check-in rate, no-show rate, peak demand and trend over time.

Common questions

What does Vanity Metric mean in simple terms?

A vanity metric is a number that flatters a report without changing what anyone should do. Total bookings can look strong, for example, while actual check-ins reveal that many desks are being reserved and left empty.

How is Vanity Metric measured and reported?

The fix is to pair broad numbers with behaviour metrics: utilisation, check-in rate, no-show rate, peak demand and trend over time.