---
sourceDocument: Xanadu Governance, Risk, and Compliance
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/xanadu/governance-risk-compliance

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    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu Governance, Risk, and Compliance

ft:clusterId :

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---

# Exploring GRC: Metrics

# Exploring GRC: Metrics {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read

A metric is used to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of your organizational
processes. A metric or a combination of metrics can provide an insight into a system, component,
or process. The GRC: Metrics application enables other applications to assess,
compare, and track the performance of the processes.

## Metrics {#esg-metrics__section_sfx_lxr_hrb}

The GRC: Metrics application is installed automatically with the ESG Management application from the ServiceNow® Store. The user
role that is responsible to read, create, and update the metric definitions and metrics is the
ESG Management metrics manager (sn_esg.metrics_manager).

With the GRC: Metrics application, you can define metrics by using the metrics
form. Metrics are a combination of a metric definition and an entity. Applying the metric
definition to an entity creates a metric. Once the metrics are defined, data is gathered to
track the effectiveness and performance of your processes. For example, consider a metric that
measures the effectiveness of an incident resolution process by calculating the time it takes to
resolve an incident.

Every organization has a range of data sources for building and structuring their own metric analysis. To establish a useful metric, the metrics manager must first assess and set the goals. Next, the manager sets the targets for
the metrics that are integrated with their business decisions.

## Qualitative and quantitative metrics {#esg-metrics__id_nzh_cqn_krb}

You can classify your metrics into qualitative and quantitative measurements.

Qualitative metrics in ESG Management are derived from the subjective
opinion that you form based on other information. Some examples of qualitative metrics in the
ESG Management sectors are brand credibility, corporate value, and so
on.

Quantitative metrics in ESG Management are the metrics that you can measure
in a specific number through certain formulas. Some examples of quantitative metrics for an
organization include reporting total energy use, energy use by region, and so on.

## Examples of metrics {#esg-metrics__id_hdn_2qn_krb}

Consider the example of measuring greenhouse gas emissions for business entities in your
organization. Greenhouse gas emissions are categorized into three groups called Scopes by the
international Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.

You want to measure the metrics for Scope 3 Emissions for the following categories: employee
travel and purchased goods. The employee travel policy applies to all the employees in the
organization. You can collect the metrics for the employee travel policy manually by providing
instructions in the metric definition.

On the other hand, the metrics for the purchased goods are collected automatically based on
the specified conditions method, schedule, and core property in the metric definition. The
metric collection process is illustrated in the following image.  
Figure 1. Define a metric

## Metric data by entity {#esg-metrics__section_izy_3tl_cxb}

The metric data by entity table (sn_grc_metric_data_by_entity) includes metric definition data and metric data for entities and the aggregated data for parent entities defined in the entity hierarchy. For example, if an ESG
reporting disclosure manager wants to understand the total emissions for an entire year for a particular location and if the location has sub-locations, you can also aggregate the data and use it for reporting purposes. For
example, consider that your organization has a location Japan. Japan, in turn, has two sub locations, Tokyo and Kyoto. Assume that you want to find your total yearly Scope 1 emissions for the year 2022 for Japan. Using the time
dimensions feature, you can aggregate your data and get a view of your total emissions for a year. You can also aggregate the data for a quarter, week, or a month depending on your reporting requirements. The data in this table
is collected according to the calendar of metric or entity.