there are platforms and resources that provide industry KPI dictionaries, definitions, benchmarks, and analytics frameworks to help businesses understand performance measures across many sectors. Here are some of the best options depending on what you need:
📊 1. KPI Catalogs & Dictionaries (Reference Libraries)
Online KPI Databases
These aren’t full analytics dashboards, but they offer comprehensive KPI definitions, formulas, measurement guidance, and sometimes industry benchmarks.
- Online KPI Catalogs
- Platforms like this provide searchable KPI directories by industry and business function, with detailed definitions and formulas for each KPI. You can browse hundreds of KPIs for areas such as e-commerce, healthcare, SaaS, travel, retail, etc.
- Industry KPI Dictionaries from The KPI Institute
- The KPI Institute produces detailed collections of KPI definitions and examples across many industries, including formulas and standard terminology. These are especially useful if you want standardized KPI definitions and descriptions.
- KPI Depot / KPI Library
- A searchable database with 20,000+ KPIs across 150+ industries and functions. Each KPI entry can include definition, measurement method, formula, insights, and more — making it a good resource for analysts, consultants, and business planners.
📊 2. Business Intelligence & Analytics Platforms
If you want something that not only defines KPIs but also lets you track them in your data:
Business Analytics & KPI Tools
These are commercial software platforms that help you measure, visualize, and monitor KPIs in real time using your own data sources (like Excel, CRM, Google Analytics, ERP data):
- Phocas Analytics – Data analytics solution that includes KPI dashboards for sales, HR, finance, operations, and more.
- Cyfe – Cloud-based business dashboard platform that lets you integrate data sources and dashboard KPIs for different departments.
- Other tools often mentioned in business intelligence reviews include Geckoboard (for KPI dashboards) and enterprise BI suites like IBM Cognos Analytics, though these require setup and data integration.
Here’s a clear picture of who leads the KPI dictionary & reference space, which organizations or platforms are most widely used, and in which regions they’re most influential:
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1. Major KPI Dictionary / Reference Providers
**✅
- Often regarded as the leading global authority on KPI definitions, frameworks, and performance measurement research.
- Operates smartKPIs.com, which is described as the world’s largest KPI database with 20,000+ documented KPIs covering 25 industries and 16 functional areas — including definitions, formulas, and context.
- Offers industry-specific KPI dictionaries, KPI documentation standards, research, training programs, and reports.
- Strong global footprint with membership and clients across North America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and more.
Why it’s a leader:
✔ Largest documented KPI collection globally
✔ Deep research backing and standardization frameworks
✔ Widely used by large enterprises and consultants worldwide
📊 KPI Depot (formerly the Flevy KPI Library)
- A comprehensive KPI and benchmark database with 20,000+ KPIs and 10,000+ benchmarks across industries and functions.
- Includes detailed KPI attributes like definition, measurement method, insights, formula, trend guidance, visualization ideas, and risk pointers.
- Used by executives, analysts, and business leaders to build KPI scorecards and dashboards.
Strength: Practical library with benchmarks and business insights, often easier to adopt for scorecards than academic KPI collections.
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2. Market Position & Usage (Leaders & Adoption)
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Leader — The KPI Institute
- Most widely cited global KPI reference source, both academically and in practice.
- Its smartKPIs platform is commonly referenced as the largest documented KPI dataset worldwide.
- Offers formal KPI dictionaries, professional training (like Certified KPI Professional) and benchmarking reports.
Usage & Recognition:
- Used by global organizations and consultants across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Recommended for standardized KPI documentation and adopting performance measurement frameworks.
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Strong Alternative — KPI Depot (formerly Flevy KPI Library)
- Large KPI database with detailed contextual attributes often used by practitioners for implementation and dashboard building.
- Provides benchmarks and more practical details compared with purely academic libraries.
Note: Unlike The KPI Institute, KPI Depot does not publish industry-wide adoption rankings or subscriber counts.
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3. Geographic Leadership & Influence
While there are no formal rankings published for KPI library market share, we can infer wide adoption patterns:
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Global Reach (The KPI Institute)
- North America — Many enterprises use smartKPIs for performance management frameworks.
- Europe and UK — Strong professional presence through research, training, and KPI standardization work.
- Asia & Middle East — Growing usage among organizations implementing formal KPI systems (e.g., government agencies, large corporates).
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KPI Depot
- Decentralized adoption, popular where companies want practical industry & function-specific KPI definitions + benchmarks.
- Often used by business analysts in North America, Europe, and Asia.
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4. Summary Comparison