GFE KPI Deep Dive Template

Template Type: KPI Definition & Analysis
Source: GFE Skill System KPI Definitions (/spec/metrics/kpi-definitions.json)
Goal: Transform KPI schemas into authoritative metric guides with reverse links to tasks, processes, and OKRs.
Use with: .agent/workflows/create-kpi-post.md

0. SCHEMA EXTRACTION GUIDE

Before writing, extract these fields from the KPI definition:

Required Fields

json

{
  "id": "KPI-CF-001",
  "name": "Operating Cash Flow",
  "category": "cashflow_ops",
  "description": "Net cash generated by core operations over a period.",
  "unit": "currency",
  "formula": "Operating Cash Flow as reported in cash flow statement",
  "frequency": "monthly",
  "data_sources": ["cashflow_statement", "bank_feeds"],
  "owner": "CFO or Financial Controller",
  "valuation_link": "cashflow"
}

1. Related Tasks (reverse lookup in /spec/tasks/): Search all task JSONs where kpi_links[] contains this KPI ID:

Extract: id, title, domain, level, description

2. Related Processes (reverse lookup in /spec/processes/): Search all process JSONs where primary_kpis[] contains this KPI ID:

Extract: id, name, description, valuation_link

3. Related OKRs (reverse lookup in /spec/okrs/): Search all OKR JSONs where key_results[].kpi_id matches this KPI ID:

Extract: id, objective, owner_role, target from matching key result

4. ValuationOps Layer (from category): Map KPI category to layer:

revenue_ops → Revenue Ops
ebitda_ops → EBITDA Ops
cashflow_ops → Cash Flow Ops
free_cashflow_ops → Free Cash Flow Ops
story_ops → Story Ops
valuation_ops → Valuation Ops

1. ARTICLE STRUCTURE

Frontmatter

yaml

---
title: '[KPI Name]: The [Domain] Metric That Drives [Valuation Impact]'
slug: kpi-[id-lowercase]
date: '[YYYY-MM-DD]T00:00:00.000Z'
description: >-
  [KPI description + why it matters for valuation in 1-2 sentences]
author: GFE Strategy Lab
image: /images/blog/kpi-[id-slug]-hero.png
alt: [Hero image description]
tags:
  - kpi
  - [category-name]
  - [domain if applicable]
  - metrics
sections:
  - gfe-systems
  - kpis
featured: false
aside: true
footer: true
traceability:
  valuationLayer: [category]
  kpiId: [this KPI ID]
  relatedTasks: [array of task IDs]
  relatedProcesses: [array of process IDs]
  relatedOKRs: [array of OKR IDs]
head:
  - - meta
    - name: robots
      content: 'index, follow'
  - - meta
    - property: 'og:title'
      content: '[KPI Name]: The [Domain] Metric'
  - - meta
    - property: 'og:description'
      content: >-
        [KPI description]
  - - meta
    - property: 'og:image'
      content: '/images/blog/kpi-[id-slug]-hero.png'
  - - meta
    - property: 'og:type'
      content: 'article'
  - - script
    - type: 'application/ld+json'
    - |
      {
        "@context": "https://schema.org",
        "@type": "Article",
        "@id": "[KPI ID]",
        "name": "[KPI Name]",
        "description": "[KPI description]",
        "about": {
          "@type": "DefinedTerm",
          "name": "[KPI Name]",
          "description": "[KPI description]"
        }
      }
---

Section 1: Hook — Why This KPI Matters (100-150 words)

Purpose: Connect the metric to business outcomes and valuation

Template:

markdown

# [KPI Name]: The [Category] Metric That Drives [Valuation Impact]

Most [practitioners] track [KPI name] as a reporting requirement.

That misses the point: this metric measures [what capability], which determines [business outcome], which capital markets price into [valuation multiple/WACC/cash flow].

[One sharp observation about current state or why this KPI is misunderstood]

This guide breaks down **[KPI ID]: [KPI Name]** — what it measures, how to calculate it, how to improve it, and which tasks and processes move it.

::: tip Quick Facts
- **Category**: [Category Name]  
- **Owner**: [Owner]  
- **Frequency**: [Frequency]  
- **Unit**: [Unit]  
- **Valuation Link**: [Valuation Link]
:::

![{KPI visualization}](/images/blog/kpi-[id-slug]-hero.png)

---

Variables:

[practitioners]: "CFOs", "RevOps teams", "COOs"
[what capability]: "how efficiently you convert inputs to cash", "customer retention strength"
[business outcome]: "cash runway", "revenue predictability"
[valuation multiple/WACC/cash flow]: Pick based on valuation_link

Section 2: What This KPI Measures (150-200 words)

Purpose: Define the metric precisely

Template:

markdown

## What This KPI Measures

**Definition:** [KPI description from schema]

**Formula:**

[KPI formula]


**Plain English:**  
[Explain the formula in non-technical terms]

**Example Calculation:**
[If formula is complex, show worked example with real numbers]

### Why This Formula Matters

[Explain WHY the formula is structured this way — what it reveals about the business]

**Example:**
For Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC = DIO + DSO - DPO):
- Higher DSO = customers pay slowly = cash tied up
- Higher DPO = you pay vendors slowly = cash retained (short-term)
- The net shows how long cash is locked in operations

---

Section 3: How to Measure It (100-150 words)

Purpose: Tactical measurement guidance

Template:

markdown

## How to Measure It

**Data Sources:**  
[For each data source in schema, explain where to pull it:]
- **[Data Source 1]**: [Where this lives — e.g., "QuickBooks P&L", "Salesforce Reports"]
- **[Data Source 2]**: [Where this lives]

**Measurement Frequency:** [Frequency]

**Recommended Tooling:**
- **Manual (< $10M ARR)**: [Excel template, Google Sheet]
- **BI Dashboard ($10M-$50M)**: [Metabase, Tableau, Looker]
- **Automated (> $50M)**: [Adaptive Planning, Anaplan, NetSuite SuiteAnalytics]

**Common Measurement Errors:**
- [Error 1: e.g., "Mixing accrual and cash accounting"]
- [Error 2: e.g., "Not adjusting for one-time events"]

---

Section 4: How to Improve This KPI (200-300 words)

Purpose: Actionable improvement levers

Template:

markdown

## How to Improve This KPI

[Frame based on whether higher or lower is better]

### Lever 1: [Improvement Strategy]

**What to do:** [Tactical action]  
**Impact:** [Expected improvement — be specific if possible]  
**Example:** [Real-world scenario]

### Lever 2: [Improvement Strategy]

**What to do:** [Tactical action]  
**Impact:** [Expected improvement]  
**Example:** [Real-world scenario]

### Lever 3: [Improvement Strategy]

**What to do:** [Tactical action]  
**Impact:** [Expected improvement]  
**Example:** [Real-world scenario]

---

Example (for DSO improvement):

Lever 1: Automate invoice delivery (reduces DSO by 5-10 days)
Lever 2: Offer 2% discount for Net 10 payment (reduces DSO by 15 days)
Lever 3: Implement collections escalation process (reduces DSO by 10 days)

Section 5: Valuation Impact (150-200 words)

Purpose: Close the loop to enterprise value

Template:

markdown

## Valuation Impact

This KPI rolls up into the **[ValuationOps Layer]** layer of the GFE ValuationOps stack.

**How It Connects:**

[Based on `valuation_link`, explain the chain]

**For `cashflow` link:**

[KPI Name] improves → Operating Cash Flow increases
→ Free Cash Flow increases → DCF valuation increases


**For `revenue` link:**

[KPI Name] improves → Revenue predictability increases
→ Revenue multiple expands → Enterprise value increases


**For `margin` link:**

[KPI Name] improves → EBITDA margin expands
→ Multiple expands + cash flow increases → EV increases


**For `risk` link:**

[KPI Name] improves → Internal Risk Index decreases
→ WACC decreases → Discount rate decreases → EV increases


**Magnitude:**  
[If possible, quantify — e.g., "Improving DSO from 60 to 45 days releases $250K for a $5M ARR company"]

---

Purpose: Show which tasks move this KPI

Template:

markdown

## Tasks That Move This KPI

These GFE Skill System tasks directly influence [KPI Name]:

[For each related task:]

### [Task ID]: [Task Title]

**Domain:** [Domain] | **Level:** [Level] | **Category:** [Category]

[Task description]

**How it moves this KPI:**  
[Explain the causal link — e.g., "Building a cash flow forecast exposes DSO trends, enabling collections process improvements"]

::: tip Learn How
See the full guide: [How to [Task Title]](/blog/posts/[task-slug])
:::

---

[If no tasks found:]
*No tasks currently linked to this KPI in the skill system. This metric is typically measured at the process or OKR level.*

---

Purpose: Show which workflows measure this KPI

Template:

markdown

## Processes That Measure This KPI

These processes use [KPI Name] as a primary success metric:

[For each related process:]

### [Process ID]: [Process Name]

[Process description]

**Why this KPI matters here:**  
[Explain why this process tracks this KPI]

::: tip Process Walkthrough
See the full workflow: [[Process Name]](/blog/posts/[process-slug]) *(coming soon)*
:::

---

[If no processes found:]
*No processes currently measure this KPI as a primary metric. Check related tasks for tactical execution.*

---

Purpose: Show strategic objectives tied to this KPI

Template:

markdown

## OKRs Targeting This KPI

These quarterly objectives include [KPI Name] as a key result:

[For each related OKR:]

### [OKR ID]: [Objective]

**Owner:** [Owner Role]  
**Target:** [Key result target for this KPI]

[Brief explanation of why this OKR targets this KPI]

::: tip OKR Breakdown
See the full objective: [[OKR ID]](/blog/posts/[okr-slug]) *(coming soon)*
:::

---

[If no OKRs found:]
*No current OKRs targeting this KPI. This metric may be tracked at the operational level rather than strategic level.*

---

Section 9: Traceability Chain

Template:

markdown

## Traceability Chain

**ValuationOps Layer:** [[Layer Name]](/blog/posts/[layer-slug]) *(coming soon)*  

**Related Tasks:**
[For each task:]
- [[Task ID]: [Task Title]](/blog/posts/[task-slug])

**Related Processes:**
[For each process:]
- [[Process ID]: [Process Name]](/blog/posts/[process-slug]) *(coming soon)*

**Related OKRs:**
[For each OKR:]
- [[OKR ID]: [Objective]](/blog/posts/[okr-slug]) *(coming soon)*

---

Section 10: FAQ (8-10 Questions)

Template:

markdown

## FAQ

**Q: What's a good benchmark for [KPI Name]?**  
A: [Industry benchmarks if available, or framework for setting targets]

**Q: How often should I measure this?**  
A: [Frequency] — [explain why this cadence matters]

**Q: What if I can't access [data source]?**  
A: [Alternative data sources or proxy calculations]

**Q: Is higher or lower better?**  
A: [Direction + explanation of why]

**Q: How does this differ from [similar KPI]?**  
A: [Clarify the distinction]

**Q: Can I improve this KPI without [some capability]?**  
A: [Yes/No + workaround or prerequisite]

**Q: What's the fastest way to move this metric?**  
A: [Highest-leverage lever from Section 4]

**Q: Who should own this KPI in a [company size] company?**  
A: [Owner recommendation based on scale]

---

2. WRITING GUIDELINES

Tone Strategy

Balance: KPI posts are ANALYTICAL, not tactical. Less wit, more precision.

Hook (100 words): Contrarian take on why this metric matters
Body (500 words): Clinical definition, measurement, improvement levers
Links (200 words): Reverse lookups to tasks/processes/OKRs

Voice:

Precise, not vague: "Reducing DSO from 60 to 45 days" not "improving collections"
Diagnostic, not prescriptive: "This reveals X about your business" not "You must do Y"
Analytical, not tactical: Explain WHY the formula matters, not HOW to execute

Wit Level: LOW

Hook: Light contrarian framing
Body: Zero wit (pure analysis)
FAQ: Helpful, direct

3. IMAGE GENERATION

Subject Formula:

For flow metrics (cash flow, revenue): "Flowing arrows converging into metric dial"
For cycle metrics (CCC, CAC payback): "Circular timeline with labeled phases"
For ratio metrics (margins, multiples): "Stacked layers with highlighted metric"

Base Prompt:

Minimalist 3D relief illustration on off-white background. Muted teal (#1AA8A0) accent. Subject: [SUBJECT]. Composition: centered, balanced, negative space, shallow depth, gentle gradients. Typography: "[KPI Name]" in clean sans, dark slate. Lighting: soft top-front. 16:9 aspect ratio.

Save To: docs/public/images/blog/kpi-[id-slug]-hero.png

4. SEO & AEO OPTIMIZATION

Target Keywords

Primary: "[KPI Name]", "[KPI Name] formula", "[KPI Name] calculation"
Secondary: "what is [KPI Name]", "how to improve [KPI Name]"
Long-tail: "[KPI Name] benchmark", "[KPI Name] for [industry]"

JSON-LD

Use @type: Article with about: DefinedTerm (already in frontmatter template)

FAQ

8-10 questions targeting:

Definition queries
Calculation queries
Benchmark queries
Improvement queries

5. FINAL CHECKLIST

[ ] KPI schema data extracted
[ ] Formula explained in plain English
[ ] Related tasks identified (reverse lookup)
[ ] Related processes identified (reverse lookup)
[ ] Related OKRs identified (reverse lookup)
[ ] ValuationOps layer mapped correctly
[ ] Improvement levers are actionable
[ ] Hero image generated
[ ] FAQ includes benchmarks
[ ] All links use relative paths (start with /)

End of Template

GFE KPI Deep Dive Template ​

0. SCHEMA EXTRACTION GUIDE ​

Required Fields ​

Auto-Fetch Related Data ​

1. ARTICLE STRUCTURE ​

Frontmatter ​

Section 1: Hook — Why This KPI Matters (100-150 words) ​

Section 2: What This KPI Measures (150-200 words) ​

Section 3: How to Measure It (100-150 words) ​

Section 4: How to Improve This KPI (200-300 words) ​

Section 5: Valuation Impact (150-200 words) ​

Section 6: Related Tasks (Reverse Links) ​

Section 7: Related Processes (Reverse Links) ​

Section 8: Related OKRs (Reverse Links) ​

Section 9: Traceability Chain ​

Section 10: FAQ (8-10 Questions) ​

2. WRITING GUIDELINES ​

Tone Strategy ​

3. IMAGE GENERATION ​

4. SEO & AEO OPTIMIZATION ​

Target Keywords ​

JSON-LD ​

FAQ ​

5. FINAL CHECKLIST ​

GFE KPI Deep Dive Template

0. SCHEMA EXTRACTION GUIDE

Required Fields

Auto-Fetch Related Data

1. ARTICLE STRUCTURE

Frontmatter

Section 1: Hook — Why This KPI Matters (100-150 words)

Section 2: What This KPI Measures (150-200 words)

Section 3: How to Measure It (100-150 words)

Section 4: How to Improve This KPI (200-300 words)

Section 5: Valuation Impact (150-200 words)

Section 6: Related Tasks (Reverse Links)

Section 7: Related Processes (Reverse Links)

Section 8: Related OKRs (Reverse Links)

Section 9: Traceability Chain

Section 10: FAQ (8-10 Questions)

2. WRITING GUIDELINES

Tone Strategy

3. IMAGE GENERATION

4. SEO & AEO OPTIMIZATION

Target Keywords

JSON-LD

FAQ

5. FINAL CHECKLIST