methodatlas
Growth

Pirate Metrics AARRR

Turns funnel behavior and experiments into a tangible result through defining funnel stages, selecting metrics per stage, and planning experiments.

Core question
Which metric represents each AARRR stage, where is the largest leverage at the bottleneck, and which experiments address it?
MediumWorkshop + async1-2 h Setup, laufend
Open runsheetPlan sessionStart comparison
Purpose

The method helps clarify funnel, user behavior, and experiments concretely. It makes user behavior measurable and derives experiments. The outcome is captured as an AARRR funnel, metric baseline, and experiment backlog.

How it works

The team follows the steps: define funnel stages, choose metrics per stage, measure baseline, identify leaks, and plan experiments. Each step is captured visibly. At the end, an AARRR funnel, metric baseline, and experiment backlog are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.

Visual orientation

Method sketch for a quick mental model.

Pirate Metrics AARRR · Growth FunnelAcquisition, Activation, Retention, Referral und Revenue als messbaren Wachstumspfad prüfen
Pirate Metrics AARRRDas Visual zeigt die fünf AARRR-Funnelstufen mit Kennzahlen und einem markierten Drop-off.Wachstum entlang des AARRR-Funnels messenJede Stufe bekommt eine eigene Metrik, damit Lecks und nächste Experimente sichtbar werden.qualifizierenzurückkehrenteilenmonetarisierenEngpass findenAAcquisitionBesucher erreichen uns12k SessionsAActivationerster Wertmoment38 % aktiviertRRetentionkommen zurück24 % W4RReferralempfehlen weiter0,18 Invite/UserRRevenuezahlen für Wert9 % Trial→PaidLeckgrößter Drop-off nach Activation

Flow

  1. 1Define funnel stages
  2. 2Choose metrics per stage
  3. 3Measure baseline
  4. 4Identify leaks
  5. 5Plan experiments

The runsheet guides execution with 5 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.

Open runsheet

Ideal for

  • Growth teams
  • SaaS funnels
  • Marketing and product alignment

Not good for

  • Non-digital systems without funnel data
  • Architecture decisions

Deep dive

In detail

Pirate metrics AARRR follows a clear working logic: define funnel stages, choose metrics per stage, measure baseline, identify leaks, and plan experiments. This turns the method into a visible thinking process rather than only a conversation. Participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options toward a shared structure. The result is an AARRR funnel, metric baseline, and experiment backlog that makes decisions, learning, or further planning actionable.

Facilitation

Prepare a clear focus question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan about 1-2 hours to set up with 2-8 people and use the format in a workshop or asynchronously. The method needs structure and preparation; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions help.

Output artifacts
AARRR funnelMetric baselineExperiment backlog
Tags
growthfunnelmetricsexperiments

Sources

Customer lifecycle management | Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Artifact templates
Pirate Metrics AARRR Working TemplateCompact working template for Pirate Metrics AARRR with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
markdown

pirate-metrics-working-template.md

Compact working template for Pirate Metrics AARRR with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.

Pirate Metrics AARRR Working Template

Goal

Structures growth across Acquisition, Activation, Retention, Referral, and Revenue.

Context

When and for what do we use this method?

Input

Which data, observations, decisions, or materials are available?

Execution

Short notes along the runsheet.

Output artifacts

  • AARRR Funnel:
  • Metric Baseline:
  • Experiment Backlog:

Assumptions and open questions

  • ...

Decision / Next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

When to choose differently

Short decision aid for existing alternatives.

Customer Journey Mapping

Statt Pirate Metrics AARRR, wenn du Verhalten, Emotionen und Hürden entlang einer echten Nutzerreise verstehen willst.

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