When value is measured infrequently, it becomes a what type of indicator?

• A. Lagging indicator
• B. Leading indicator
• C. Real-time indicator
• D. Predictive indicator

Answer: (A)

Measuring value infrequently means you’re looking at results after the work has been completed. That makes it a lagging indicator. Lagging indicators show the outcomes of past actions (for example, revenue, profitability, customer satisfaction after a release), and because the measurement happens only occasionally, the feedback loop is slow. This limits your ability to adjust the product direction in a timely way.

In contrast, leading indicators are measurements taken during work to predict future value (like early adoption signals or pipeline momentum), real-time indicators track what’s happening now, and predictive indicators are forecasts about future value. Those approaches rely on more frequent or forward-looking data, not infrequent post-hoc results.