DataWorks Data Modeling provides a Metrics system that gives every team a single, consistent definition for each business metric.
Metric system
A metric is a statistical value that measures business characteristics and reflects the status of specific business activities. DataWorks organizes metrics into three layers, each building on the previous:
Atomic Metric: The base unit. Defines what to measure and how to calculate it. Examples: payment amount, number of paying users.
Derived Metric: Built from an Atomic Metric combined with a Modifier and a Time Period. Narrows the measurement to a specific Time Period, dimension, and business scope. Examples:
payment amount on PC in the last 30 daysandnumber of paying users on PC in the last 30 days.Composite Metric: Applies mathematical operations to Derived Metrics or other Composite Metrics to produce complex analytical indicators.
Create an atomic metric. For more information, see Atomic metrics.
Create a modifier. For more information, see Modifiers.
Create a time period. For more information, see Period.
Create a derived metric. For more information, see Derived metrics.
Create a composite metric. For more information, see Composite metric.
FAQ
Why can't I select a custom Common Layer when creating a metric?
Metrics are fixed to specific layers: they live in the Data Warehouse Summary (DWS) layer within the Common Layer, or the Application Data Service (ADS) layer within the Application Layer. Layers outside these two are not available for selection.
When can I associate metrics with tables?
When creating an Aggregate Table or Application Table, use Import Metrics to generate metric fields from existing metric definitions.
Why can atomic metrics only be created in the Common Layer?
Atomic metrics represent abstract concepts derived from Business Processes. For example, the order amount in a payment transaction is an atomic metric. Because they are the shared foundation that derived metrics build on, they belong in the Common Layer where all teams can access and reuse them.
Why can I select atomic metrics when creating a derived metric in the Application Layer?
A derived metric is an atomic metric narrowed by modifiers and a time period. Even when working in the Application Layer, derived metrics still pull their base calculation from atomic metrics in the Common Layer — the layers are connected by design.