What result does a metric provide when correctly set up?

When a metric is correctly set up, it yields a single numerical summary of quantitative data. Metrics are designed to quantify performance indicators or key data points relevant to the processes being measured. By distilling complex or extensive datasets into a single numerical figure, metrics enable users to easily understand and communicate performance at a glance.

This numerical summary simplifies analysis by providing a straightforward representation of data, making it easier for users to assess trends, compare performance over time, or evaluate outcomes against expectations. This focus on numerical summarization is vital in environments where quick decision-making is crucial, allowing stakeholders to grasp essential insights without wading through extensive raw data.

In contrast, other options involve different forms of data interpretation. Summaries based on qualitative values may provide insights but lack the precise quantification characteristic of a well-defined metric. An overview of the entire workbook could include various data types but does not concentrate on distilling that data into a single measurable outcome. Finally, comprehensive raw data entries represent all data without summarization, making it difficult to derive quick insights.