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Activation Progression Score

Definition

Activation Progression Score measures how far a user has progressed through a predefined series of activation milestones. It helps track onboarding momentum and identify where users drop off before reaching full activation.

Description

Activation Progression Score is a behavior-based scoring system that gives a granular view of how far users get toward full activation, rather than a binary “yes/no.” It shows progress along the path to value — and where users drop off.

The relevance and interpretation of this metric shift depending on the model or product:

  • In design tools, users might score 25% for creating a file, 50% for inviting a collaborator, and 100% for publishing a design
  • In sales platforms, it could reflect steps like importing contacts, assigning leads, and building a pipeline
  • In PLG models, it surfaces early momentum and friction hotspots

A high average score indicates users are consistently advancing toward value. A low average shows early drop-off and confusion or disinterest. Segment by cohort, behavior pattern, or onboarding variant to fine-tune your flow and support partial activators.

Activation Progression Score informs:

  • Strategic decisions, like prioritizing onboarding stages with the highest abandonment
  • Tactical actions, such as deploying nudges based on where users stall
  • Operational improvements, including scaling usage-based personalization
  • Cross-functional alignment, by showing which parts of the journey need attention from product, UX, and CS teams

Key Drivers

These are the main factors that directly impact the metric. Understanding these lets you know what levers you can pull to improve the outcome

  • Milestone Visibility and Sequence: If users don’t know what steps exist or what order to do them in, progression slows. A guided experience increases velocity and completion.
  • Flexibility for Different User Types: Rigid flows force all users through the same steps — even when they’re irrelevant. This leads to frustration and drop-off.
  • Real-Time Feedback on Progress: If users don’t see progress (even partial), motivation fades. Celebrating small wins keeps momentum high.

Improvement Tactics & Quick Wins

Actionable ideas to optimize this KPI, from fast, low-effort wins to strategic initiatives that drive measurable impact.

  • If progression is flat, surface progress indicators in-app and tie each step to an outcome (“Step 2 of 4: Personalize your dashboard to unlock key insights”).
  • Add alternate onboarding paths based on user intent, allowing users to skip or reprioritize steps based on their goals.
  • Run a test that adds milestone badges or rewards, then track impact on progression and retention.
  • Refine empty states with just-in-time education, nudging users to complete partially finished actions.
  • Partner with CS to trigger guided support for users stuck at mid-progress tiers, rather than waiting for them to churn.

  • Required Datapoints to calculate the metric

    • Defined Activation Milestones: Weighted steps or actions (with assigned scores).
    • User Progress Logs: Events that show milestone completion.
    • Total Users in Flow: Users being scored.
    • Score Calculation Rules: Percentage or point-based scale (e.g., 0–100).

  • Example to show how the metric is derived

    A PLG tool defines 4 activation steps worth 25% each: 1. Add data → 25% 2. Create dashboard → 25% 3. Share dashboard → 25% 4. Set notification → 25%

    • User A completes first three → 75%

Formula

Formula

\[ \mathrm{Activation\ Progression\ Score} = \left( \frac{\mathrm{Sum\ of\ Milestone\ Weights\ Completed}}{\mathrm{Total\ Possible\ Score}} \right) \times 100 \]

Data Model Definition

How this KPI is structured in Cube.js, including its key measures, dimensions, and calculation logic for consistent reporting.

cube('ActivationMilestones', {
  sql: `SELECT * FROM activation_milestones`,

  measures: {
    totalMilestones: {
      sql: `milestone_id`,
      type: 'count',
      title: 'Total Activation Milestones',
      description: 'Total number of activation milestones defined.'
    }
  },

  dimensions: {
    milestoneId: {
      sql: `milestone_id`,
      type: 'string',
      primaryKey: true,
      title: 'Milestone ID',
      description: 'Unique identifier for each activation milestone.'
    },
    milestoneName: {
      sql: `milestone_name`,
      type: 'string',
      title: 'Milestone Name',
      description: 'Name of the activation milestone.'
    },
    milestoneWeight: {
      sql: `milestone_weight`,
      type: 'number',
      title: 'Milestone Weight',
      description: 'Weight assigned to the activation milestone for scoring purposes.'
    }
  }
});

cube('UserProgressLogs', {
  sql: `SELECT * FROM user_progress_logs`,

  measures: {
    totalProgressLogs: {
      sql: `log_id`,
      type: 'count',
      title: 'Total User Progress Logs',
      description: 'Total number of user progress logs recorded.'
    }
  },

  dimensions: {
    logId: {
      sql: `log_id`,
      type: 'string',
      primaryKey: true,
      title: 'Log ID',
      description: 'Unique identifier for each user progress log.'
    },
    userId: {
      sql: `user_id`,
      type: 'string',
      title: 'User ID',
      description: 'Unique identifier for the user.'
    },
    milestoneId: {
      sql: `milestone_id`,
      type: 'string',
      title: 'Milestone ID',
      description: 'Identifier of the milestone completed by the user.'
    },
    completionTime: {
      sql: `completion_time`,
      type: 'time',
      title: 'Completion Time',
      description: 'Timestamp when the user completed the milestone.'
    }
  }
});

cube('TotalUsers', {
  sql: `SELECT * FROM total_users`,

  measures: {
    totalUsers: {
      sql: `user_id`,
      type: 'countDistinct',
      title: 'Total Users in Flow',
      description: 'Total number of unique users in the activation flow.'
    }
  },

  dimensions: {
    userId: {
      sql: `user_id`,
      type: 'string',
      primaryKey: true,
      title: 'User ID',
      description: 'Unique identifier for each user.'
    },
    registrationDate: {
      sql: `registration_date`,
      type: 'time',
      title: 'Registration Date',
      description: 'Date when the user registered.'
    }
  }
});

cube('ActivationProgressionScore', {
  sql: `SELECT * FROM activation_progression_score`,

  measures: {
    progressionScore: {
      sql: `progression_score`,
      type: 'number',
      title: 'Activation Progression Score',
      description: 'Score representing how far a user has progressed through activation milestones.'
    }
  },

  dimensions: {
    userId: {
      sql: `user_id`,
      type: 'string',
      primaryKey: true,
      title: 'User ID',
      description: 'Unique identifier for the user.'
    },
    scoreDate: {
      sql: `score_date`,
      type: 'time',
      title: 'Score Date',
      description: 'Date when the progression score was calculated.'
    }
  }
});

Note: This is a reference implementation and should be used as a starting point. You’ll need to adapt it to match your own data model and schema

Positive & Negative Influences

  • Negative influences

    Factors that drive the metric in an undesirable direction, often signaling risk or decline.

    • Rigid Onboarding Flows: Forcing all users through a uniform onboarding process regardless of their needs leads to frustration and drop-off, negatively impacting the Activation Progression Score.
    • Lack of Milestone Clarity: Unclear or poorly communicated milestones cause confusion and slow down user progression, reducing the Activation Progression Score.
    • Delayed Feedback Mechanisms: If users do not receive timely feedback on their progress, motivation decreases, leading to lower Activation Progression Scores.
    • Complexity of Initial Steps: Overly complex or numerous initial steps can overwhelm users, causing early drop-off and negatively affecting the Activation Progression Score.
    • Inadequate User Support: Insufficient support during the onboarding process leaves users struggling to progress, resulting in a lower Activation Progression Score.

  • Positive influences

    Factors that push the metric in a favorable direction, supporting growth or improvement.

    • Milestone Visibility and Sequence: Clear visibility and a logical sequence of milestones guide users effectively through the activation process, increasing the Activation Progression Score by reducing confusion and enhancing user engagement.
    • Real-Time Feedback on Progress: Providing users with real-time feedback and celebrating small achievements boosts motivation and encourages continued progression, positively impacting the Activation Progression Score.
    • Personalized Onboarding Experience: Tailoring the onboarding process to individual user needs and preferences enhances relevance and engagement, leading to higher Activation Progression Scores.
    • User Education and Support: Offering comprehensive resources and support during onboarding helps users overcome challenges, facilitating smoother progression and improving the Activation Progression Score.
    • Gamification Elements: Incorporating gamification elements such as rewards and challenges increases user engagement and motivation, positively influencing the Activation Progression Score.

Involved Roles & Activities

Funnel Stage & Type

  • AAARRR Funnel Stage

    This KPI is associated with the following stages in the AAARRR (Pirate Metrics) funnel:

    Activation

  • Type

    This KPI is classified as a Lagging Indicator. It reflects the results of past actions or behaviors and is used to validate performance or assess the impact of previous strategies.

Supporting Leading & Lagging Metrics

  • Leading

    These leading indicators influence this KPI and act as early signals that forecast future changes in this KPI.

    • Activation Rate: Activation Rate measures the percentage of users reaching a meaningful activation milestone. Higher Activation Rates signal users are progressing quickly through onboarding milestones, which directly forecasts positive changes in Activation Progression Score. A drop in Activation Rate is an early warning of friction points that will later show up as stagnation or drop-off in progression.
    • Drop-Off Rate: Drop-Off Rate identifies where users abandon a process before completion, serving as an early indicator of friction in onboarding. High Drop-Off Rates in initial steps predict lower Activation Progression Scores, as users fail to move through key activation milestones.
    • Onboarding Drop-off Rate: Onboarding Drop-off Rate specifically spotlights where users exit the onboarding process. An increase here is a precursor to lower Activation Progression Scores because it pinpoints at which milestone users are getting stuck, allowing for targeted improvements before lagging indicators are affected.
    • Product Qualified Accounts: Product Qualified Accounts (PQAs) are accounts that exhibit behaviors indicating readiness for conversion. A surge in PQAs suggests that more accounts are engaging deeply and progressing through activation milestones, thus forecasting an upcoming rise in Activation Progression Score.
    • First Feature Usage Rate: First Feature Usage Rate measures how many new users engage with a core feature early. A high rate here predicts strong momentum through initial activation steps, which typically leads to higher future Activation Progression Scores as users continue on the activation journey.

  • Lagging

    These lagging indicators confirm, quantify, or amplify this KPI and help explain the broader business impact on this KPI after the fact.

    • Percent of Accounts Completing Key Activation Milestones: This KPI quantifies the proportion of accounts reaching major activation checkpoints. It directly confirms and amplifies changes in the Activation Progression Score, providing a more granular breakdown of progression versus drop-off.
    • Onboarding Satisfaction Score (OSS): OSS measures user satisfaction after onboarding. High satisfaction scores validate improvements in Activation Progression Score, while low scores provide an explanation for stalls or drop-offs seen in progression metrics.
    • Multi-Session Activation Completion Rate: This metric measures the percentage of users completing activation over several sessions. It explains and expands on Activation Progression Score by highlighting whether users persistently return to complete milestones, thus amplifying understanding of progression dynamics.
    • Activation Cohort Retention Rate (Day 7/30): This KPI tracks how many users who reach activation remain engaged after 7 or 30 days. It quantifies the downstream impact of activation progression, revealing the long-term retention and success following milestone completion.
    • Activation Conversion Rate: This metric measures the proportion of users entering onboarding who reach full activation. It serves as a confirmation of the Activation Progression Score by translating milestone progression into final activation outcomes, providing end-to-end context.