Fourteen newsrooms that strengthened their journalism by using data are the focus of a new INMA report.

‘Beyond the Dashboard: 14 Case Studies in Newsroom Metrics’ features case studies from the New York Times, Mediahuis, The Times & The Sunday Times, Axel Springer, the Wall Street Journal, Hearst, Bonnier News, Rede Gazeta, Stuff, Aftenposten, Verdens Gang, Politiken, Nation Media Group and Jagran New Media.

The analysis reveals a more mature, intentional approach to metrics – one that emphasises value over volume and prioritises outcomes aligned with editorial purpose. The report also shows how newsrooms have moved away from simply watching dashboards containing various metrics to a deeper analysis that helps them understand and evolve content strategies to better serve audiences.

Author of the report – available for download here – is INMA’s newsroom transformation lead Amalie Nash.

Key themes that emerge include:

-a shift to value-based metrics;

-greater focus on quality reads and reading time;

-tailored, purpose-driven KPIs;

-strategic use of AI and automation;

-refinements in scorecards and dashboards;

-more open and purposeful conversations about data;

-clearer, more structured goal setting; and

-role-based metrics for greater relevance.

Despite clear progress in aligning metrics insights with business outcomes, leaders at the 14 participating companies also expressed a desire to continue evolving their use of data and how that translates back to the work of their journalists. The report offers a sneak peek of where they want to go next in their data journeys, including strengthening the use of AI in data analysis as it continues to improve, better analysing the success of non-text pieces of content, and segmenting data insights by target audiences.

It shows how well-designed metrics can help newsrooms focus on what matters: producing journalism that serves audiences meaningfully and sustains the business. The report is available free to INMA members and for purchase by non-members at INMA.org/reports.