Key Performance Indicators - KPI. What are 'Key Performance Indicators - KPI' Key performance indicators (KPI) are a set of quantifiable measures that a company uses to gauge its performance over time. These metrics are used to determine a company's progress in achieving its strategic and operational goals, and also to compare a company's finances and performance against other businesses within its industry. BREAKING DOWN 'Key Performance Indicators - KPI' KPIs also referred to as key success indicators or KSIs, vary between companies and industries, depending on the pertinent priorities or performance criteria. For example, if a software company's goal is to have the fastest growth in its industry, its main performance indicator may be the measure of revenue growth year over year (YOY). In the retail industry, same-store sales is a common metric used to measure sales growth between different store locations. Financial KPIs. Some of the most common KPIs revo...