Amid economic challenges, companies are increasingly focusing on customer retention as a cost-effective strategy, especially high-growth firms that previously prioritized acquisition. To develop an effective retention strategy, the initial step involves identifying active usage metrics that indicate when users are gaining value from a product. This process requires a hypothesis-driven approach, starting with brainstorming potential indicators of value, grouping them into a top five list, and then defining the specific behaviors that demonstrate value attainment. Teams should analyze these behaviors, taking into account different user personas and the frequency of their interactions to determine which actions are most meaningful for retention. The ultimate goal is to identify a primary usage metric that serves as a North Star for gauging product value, supported by data analysis and team consensus. This is part of a larger series aimed at helping businesses build scalable retention strategies by leveraging data to identify leading indicators and align them with financial metrics.