Setting KPIs and the metrics for success – Operating and Monitoring IoT Networks

It is important to understand why you are conducting the monitoring that you are doing, and the appropriate milestones for managing its progress. In this section, we will look into how we can set clear objectives and appropriately define KPIs to measure how well we are progressing.

Setting clear objectives and goals for monitoring

Setting clear objectives and goals is an important step in implementing a successful continuous monitoring strategy for IoT networks. Organizations should identify the specific metrics and KPIs they want to track and establish thresholds for acceptable performance levels. This will allow them to quickly identify any issues that may arise and take corrective action before they cause significant disruptions to their networks.

Some common objectives and goals for continuous monitoring in IoT networks include the following:

Improving network reliability: Organizations may set objectives to reduce downtime and improve overall network uptime. This could include monitoring key network components and identifying potential issues before they cause disruptions.

Enhancing security: Security is a critical concern for IoT networks, and organizations may set goals to ensure that their networks are protected from potential cyber threats. This could include monitoring network traffic and identifying anomalous behavior that may indicate a security breach.

Optimizing network performance: Organizations may set objectives to improve the overall performance of their IoT networks, such as reducing latency or improving throughput. This could involve monitoring network traffic and identifying areas where improvements could be made.

Minimizing operational costs: Organizations may set goals to reduce operational costs associated with managing their IoT networks. This could involve identifying inefficiencies in their networks and automating processes to reduce the need for manual intervention.

Once objectives and goals have been established, organizations should identify the specific metrics and KPIs that will be used to measure performance. For example, if the goal is to improve network reliability, organizations may track metrics such as network uptime, response time, and error rates. These metrics should be tracked continuously and compared against predefined thresholds to identify any potential issues.

In addition to defining metrics and KPIs, organizations should also establish processes for reviewing and analyzing monitoring data to identify opportunities for optimization and improvement. This may involve using visualization tools such as dashboards and reports to gain insights into network performance and identify areas where improvements can be made.

Different types of KPIs

There are different types of KPIs that can be used to monitor IoT networks. There are five categories of KPIs that they can fall under: device-level, network-level, user-level, security, and business-level.

Device-level KPIs

These KPIs measure the performance and health of individual IoT devices and include their availability, response time, and error rates. By monitoring these KPIs, organizations can identify devices that are not functioning properly and take corrective actions to prevent downtime.