Quantitative Metrics (Heuristic-Based)
These questions seek objective, numerical data to establish a baseline and track trajectory over time.
Retention & Turnover Rate:
- What is the average residency duration of members?
- What percentage of the population has maintained the community as their primary full-time residence for 5 years or longer?
Active Participation Hours:
- What is the total number of hours per week/month that members collectively invest in community-specific work, land bonding, or consensus infrastructure, as opposed to off-site labor?
Generational Continuity:
- Of the children who reached adulthood within the community over the last [X] years, how many have chosen to remain or eventually raise their own families within the community?
Qualitative Metrics (Sentiment & Mission-Based)
These questions address the “flow” and “spirit” of the community, which users identified as the root cause of physical collapse.
Mission Fulfillment vs. Adaptability:
- To what degree is the community currently fulfilling its original stated mission (e.g., homesteading, affordability, spiritual practice), and has it successfully evolved that mission to meet current member needs without dissolving?
Security & Conflict Resolution:
- Do members report a consistent sense of personal and resource security (food/shelter), and are disputes resolved through existing consensus processes rather than leading to membership withdrawal?
Integration vs. Separateness:
- Do members view their relationships with others as “primaries” (shared life) or “secondaries” (separate individuals sharing a space), and does the community culture prioritize “doing with” rather than “doing to”?
Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Summary Table
Based on the suggestion to establish a “baseline” for audits, you may want to track the following:
| Metric Type | KPI Indicator | Definition of “Success” | Definition of “Collapse” |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stability | Turnover Rate | Low turnover; >5 year residency. | High “Tinder-style” churn; <2 year stays. |
| Vitality | Active Hours | Increasing hours spent on land/members. | Majority of time spent off-land making money. |
| Growth | Group Formation | New projects/sub-groups forming internally. | Dissolving groups; loss of common land. |