# Metric thresholds

> A threshold for a metric is a predefined value or limit that helps business users interpret the metric’s result. A threshold defines what counts as good, bad, or critical performance for that metric.

A threshold for a metric is a predefined value or limit that helps business users interpret the metric’s result. A threshold defines what counts as good, bad, or critical performance for that metric.

Thresholds support performance monitoring. For example, by flagging when a process takes longer than expected, distinguishing acceptable from unacceptable performance, and highlighting deviations or risks in dashboards.

For example, for tracking **Average throughput time end-to-end**, you might set:

* A **green** threshold at MIN < 3 days (good performance);
* A **yellow** threshold between 4–5 days (warning);
* A **red** threshold 5 days > MAX (needs attention).
  :::note
  When defining thresholds, the start of the range is inclusive, and the end is exclusive. This means a range is expressed as `start ≤ x < end`.
  :::

Thresholds allow you to define one or more boundary values for the metric. These boundaries are visualized in the KPI chart on KPI values lists and KPI trends lists where the metric is defined as a KPI. When the actual metric value exceeds the threshold, it signals that action may be needed.

:::note
To use the threshold in a KPI chart, you must enable the **Threshold** option for the KPI in the chart properties.
:::

The following illustration shows an example KPI chart with a threshold for **Automation rate**.

![example KPI chart with a threshold for Automation rate.](https://dev-assets.cms.uipath.com/assets/images/process-mining/process-mining-example-kpi-chart-with-a-threshold-for-automation-rate-612443-475c5bf1-43423a83.webp)

Hovering over a KPI chart also displays the defined thresholds for context metrics. The following illustration shows an example of context information for a KPI chart.

![Context information for a KPI chart](https://dev-assets.cms.uipath.com/assets/images/process-mining/process-mining-context-information-for-a-kpi-chart-627349-cef83fae-05372a4b.webp)

## Defining metric thresholds

Follow these steps to define thresholds for a metric.

1. Open **Data Manager**.
   :::note
   If you want to define thresholds for a new metric, you must first create the metric and configure the logic.
   :::
2. Locate the metric for which you want to define thresholds and select **Edit metric**.
3. Locate **Thresholds** in the **Metric details** panel, and select **Edit**.
4. Define the ranges for the thresholds. The thresholds bar shows a graphical representation of the ranges defined.
5. Select **Apply** to save the thresholds and to close the **Thresholds** panel.
6. Select **Save** to save the metric properties.