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How to ThinkIn the Age of AI
Definitionv1DF-362

Proxy metric

a measurable signal that correlates strongly with a desired outcome, is measurable sooner than the outcome itself, is actionable through behavior influence, and is stable enough to reflect real system changes rather than noise

Why This Is a Definition

This definition establishes the precise conditions that make a proxy metric effective, distinguishing it from simple correlations by specifying the criteria of measurability, temporal advantage, actionability, and stability. It's a precise boundary around the term's meaning in the curriculum.