Customer onboarding

Getting Started with Harborlight Metrics

A practical introduction to a fictional analytics app

1 h 2 min 3 modules · 6 lessons Beginner

By the end you'll be able to

Set up a workspace and connect a sample data source.
Choose a useful metric and apply dashboard filters.
Check a trend before drawing a conclusion.
Share a focused dashboard view with appropriate access.

Modules

Module 1 · 20 minSet up a useful workspaceOrient yourself in Harborlight Metrics and connect a safe sample source.
Module 2 · 21 minRead metrics and dashboardsChoose a metric that fits your question, then explore it with filters.
Module 3 · 21 minShare an insight and follow upCheck a trend carefully and share the smallest useful view with the right people.

Your guide

Maya Chen — Customer learning designer

Maya helps customer teams turn product data into clear questions, reliable dashboards, and practical next steps.

Fictional instructor and course, generated for this demo.

Module 1 · Set up a useful workspace

Read 8 minLesson 1 of 6

Find your way around

Learn the workspace terms and choose a question to guide your setup.

In this lesson

Identify the main parts of a workspace.
Write one question your analysis should answer.

Harborlight Metrics is a fictional analytics app used throughout this course. Its workspace brings together data sources, dashboards, and saved views. Start with a question, such as “Which onboarding step do new users leave most often?” A clear question helps you decide what data and chart you need.

ReflectWhat decision or customer question would you like your analytics workspace to support?

Saved in this browser only. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Module 1 · Set up a useful workspace

Try it 12 minLesson 2 of 6

Connect sample data safely

Use a sample file to check that a source is ready for analysis.

In this lesson

Connect a sample data source.
Check that field names and date values look sensible.

Prepare and inspect a sample source

1
Choose practice data
Use the app’s demo file or a spreadsheet with invented records. Do not use customer names, email addresses, or other sensitive personal data.
2
Open data sources
In the practice workspace, select the area for adding or managing sources.
3
Connect the file
Choose the sample file and confirm the fields Harborlight detects, such as event name, date, and user type.
4
Check a few records
Look for blank dates, inconsistent labels, or unexpected values before building a chart.

Knowledge checkYou are learning the connection flow. Which data should you use?AA demo file or approved sample with invented recordsBA customer export copied from a live accountCA spreadsheet containing customer email addresses

← Back to: Find your way around

Module 2 · Read metrics and dashboards

Read 9 minLesson 3 of 6

Choose a metric that answers the question

Distinguish a count, a rate, and a time-based measure.

In this lesson

Match a question to a relevant metric.
State what is included in a metric.

A metric is a defined measurement, not just a number on a chart. For an onboarding question, “completed setup” might count users who reached a named event. A completion rate divides those users by the users who started. Always check the event definition and reporting period before comparing values.

Before choosing a metric, check

What action or outcome does it measure?
Which records are included or excluded?
What time period does it cover?
Is it a count, a rate, or an average?

← Back to: Connect sample data safely

Module 2 · Read metrics and dashboards

Try it 12 minLesson 4 of 6

Filter a dashboard to investigate

Apply one filter at a time and compare like with like.

In this lesson

Apply a date and segment filter.
Describe what changed and what stayed the same.

Explore a dashboard

1
Open the practice dashboard
Choose the dashboard that shows onboarding activity and note its current date range.
2
Set a date range
Choose a clear period, such as the last 30 days, and note the exact dates shown.
3
Add one segment
Filter by a sample attribute, such as device type. Keep other settings unchanged so you can interpret the comparison.
4
Record the observation
Write down the metric, date range, segment, and any visible difference. Treat the result as a clue, not proof of a cause.

ReflectWhich filter changed the view most, and what additional context would you need before acting on that difference?

Saved in this browser only. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Knowledge checkA chart changes after you apply a device filter. What is the best next step?ARecord the filter and date range, then check whether the groups are comparableBAssume the device caused the changeCChange several filters at once to find the largest difference

← Back to: Choose a metric that answers the question

Module 3 · Share an insight and follow up

Read 10 minLesson 5 of 6

Check a trend before interpreting it

Look for context that could change what a dashboard pattern means.

In this lesson

Check a trend against its date range and metric definition.
Separate an observation from a possible explanation.

A rise or fall in a chart is an observation. Before explaining it, check the date range, metric definition, and whether the source has gaps or changed. Compare the pattern with a relevant baseline, such as the previous period, using the same measure and comparable dates.

A careful interpretation includes

The metric and its definition
The date range and comparison period
The observed change, stated without guessing why
A question or next check that could test a possible explanation

← Back to: Filter a dashboard to investigate

Module 3 · Share an insight and follow up

Try it 11 minLesson 6 of 6

Save and share a focused view

Create a useful saved view and make access choices deliberately.

In this lesson

Save a view with a clear name and settings.
Check access before sharing a dashboard.

Prepare a view for a teammate

1
Set the view
Choose the metric, date range, and segment that support your question.
2
Name it clearly
Use a name that tells a teammate what they will see, such as “Setup completion by device, recent period.”
3
Check the audience
Review the app’s sharing settings and select only the access level your teammate needs.
4
Add a short note
State the observation and one limitation, such as a small sample or a missing date.

Knowledge checkWhat should you do before sharing a saved dashboard view?AConfirm the view settings and check that its audience has appropriate accessBShare the workspace with everyone so nobody is blockedCRemove the date range so the recipient can guess the period

← Back to: Check a trend before interpreting it

Certificate of completion

Getting Started with Harborlight Metrics

This certifies that

Your name for the certificate

completed 3 modules and 6 lessons (1 h 2 min) of self-paced study.

Back to overview

Demo certificate for a fictional course. It is not an accredited credential.