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North Star Framework Template for Product Teams
A North Star Framework template to define your North Star Metric, identify input metrics, align teams around a single measure of product value, and...
Updated 2026-03-05
North Star Framework
| # | Metric | Target | Current | Progress % | Owner | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 140 | ||||||
| 2 | 98 | ||||||
| 3 | 84 | ||||||
| 4 | 75 | ||||||
| 5 | 75 |
#1
140
#2
98
#3
84
#4
75
#5
75
Edit the values above to try it with your own data. Your changes are saved locally.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a North Star Metric and an OKR?+
OKRs are a goal-setting framework with quarterly or annual cycles. The NSM is a persistent, long-term metric. Your North Star might not change for years, while OKRs change every quarter. Ideally, your Key Results are input metrics that feed the NSM. See the [OKR template](/templates/okr-template) for OKR planning.
Can a two-sided marketplace have one North Star?+
Yes, but it must capture value for both sides. Airbnb's "nights booked" captures value for both hosts (revenue) and guests (travel experiences). If your NSM only captures one side, the other side's health becomes a blind spot. Add a counter-metric for the underrepresented side.
How do I know if my North Star is wrong?+
Three signals: (1) the NSM is growing but revenue is flat or declining, (2) the team cannot identify 3+ actionable input metrics, (3) teams frequently argue about whether their work connects to the NSM. If any of these are true, revisit your metric.
Should startups have a North Star?+
Yes, but expect it to evolve. Pre-product-market fit, your NSM might change every 2-3 months as you learn what value your product actually delivers. Post-PMF, it should stabilize. The exercise of choosing a NSM forces you to articulate what value means, which is useful at any stage. ---
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