Are there any metrics that are valuable to startups? If so, which ones and why do they matter (or, how do you use them)? I am thinking mostly of software metrics, but other trains of thought are welcome as well.
it kind of depends. in general, its best from a planning or PM perspective (and probably important to people funding you) to know the big four: timeline, size, cost, quality.
exactly what you use to measure each one is flexible. they might not be important for a startup to track thoroughly, but its good to know the general neighborhood you're in on each point. funding won't last forever.
I am open to interpretation. Where I am coming from right now is project completion time, when our tyrannical overlords force us to record utterly meaningless metrics (SLOC) using tools that make it harder, not easier (our line-counter).
I'm just curious if this is something that startups even have to worry about.
exactly what you use to measure each one is flexible. they might not be important for a startup to track thoroughly, but its good to know the general neighborhood you're in on each point. funding won't last forever.