Strategic Planning Metrics

Technical debt accumulation rates inform long-term planning. Track the growth rate of unresolved vulnerabilities, aging dependencies, and policy exceptions. Calculate the "vulnerability backlog" and project when it becomes unmanageable without intervention. These metrics justify modernization investments and additional resources before situations become critical.

Component diversity metrics influence architectural decisions. Track how many different components provide similar functionality across your portfolio. High diversity increases maintenance burden and attack surface. Standardization initiatives reducing component diversity show measurable security and operational benefits. Set targets for component consolidation in strategic planning.

Vendor dependency concentration reveals supply chain risks. Calculate what percentage of your applications depend on components from specific vendors or projects. High concentration creates single points of failure—if one popular component has a critical vulnerability, your entire portfolio might be affected. Use these metrics to guide diversification strategies.