Meaning ● Strategic Metric Frameworks represent structured systems for identifying, tracking, and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to a Small and Medium-sized Business’s (SMB) strategic objectives. Applied to growth, these frameworks help SMBs quantify expansion efforts and pinpoint areas for improved market penetration. ● In the context of automation, these frameworks assess the effectiveness of implemented technologies, verifying if they deliver anticipated efficiency gains and cost reductions. ● Regarding implementation, they monitor the execution of strategic plans, ensuring alignment between operational activities and broader company goals. Furthermore, these frameworks commonly incorporate both leading and lagging indicators, providing a balanced view of past performance and potential future outcomes, aiding in proactive decision-making for sustained SMB success. They are critical tools for data-driven decision making, especially in resource-constrained environments common to SMBs. The appropriate selection of metrics within these frameworks directly affects the ability of SMBs to react effectively to market shifts and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Selecting the correct metrics is key for SMB’s implementing AI based systems too.