---
title: Create a threshold for a metric
description: Create thresholds for metrics and metric definitions to monitor performance. Thresholds serve as reference points based on specific criteria. Each threshold can be assigned a unique color and configured with conditions and subsequent actions.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/environmental-social-governance/create-a-threshold-for-a-metric.html
release: australia
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 2
breadcrumb: [Configuring GRC: Metrics, GRC: Metrics, Operational Sustainability Management \(formerly Environmental, Social, and Governance\)]
---

# Create a threshold for a metric

Create thresholds for metrics and metric definitions to monitor performance. Thresholds serve as reference points based on specific criteria. Each threshold can be assigned a unique color and configured with conditions and subsequent actions.

## Before you begin

Role required: sn\_esg.admin, sn\_esg.program\_manager, or sn\_esg.metrics\_manager

**Note:**

Thresholds can be applied to quantitative metric definitions and composite metric definitions \(CMDs\).

## About this task

Configure thresholds to define multiple performance levels, set specific ranges for each level, customize visual indicators, and configure automated actions that trigger when thresholds are breached. The threshold configuration supports both static values and dynamic percentage-based calculations.

**Important:**

Threshold evaluation does not apply to ad hoc metric data tasks. For more information, see [Ad hoc metric data task limitations](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/environmental-social-governance/ad-hoc-metric-data-task-limitations.md).

## Procedure

1.  Navigate to **All** > **Operational Sustainability Management** > **Operational Sustainability Workspace** > **Metrics**.

2.  Open the quantitative metric definition or the composite metric definition for which you want to add thresholds.

3.  Select the Thresholds related list.

4.  Select **New**.

5.  On the form, fill in the fields.

    For a description of the field values, see [Metric Threshold form fields](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/environmental-social-governance/metric-threshold-form-fields.md).

6.  Select **Submit**.

    -   If the threshold configuration validation is successful, the threshold is saved and becomes active based on the configured settings.
    -   If validation errors occur, the system displays error messages indicating the specific field and recommended actions. Review these messages and correct the issues before resubmitting.
    The configured threshold is now active for the metric. When the Enable threshold breach monitoring option is selected, the system monitors metric values and immediately triggers the specified actions when threshold levels are exceeded. Metric values are displayed with the appropriate color indicators in dashboards and reports. Clearing the Enable threshold breach monitoring option hides the threshold justification field on affected metric data tasks.


## What to do next

To add custom actions that trigger on threshold breach, see the [How to Add Custom Actions on Threshold Breach in GRC Metrics \[KB3072359\]](https://hi.service-now.com/kb_view.do?sysparm_article=KB3072359) article in the Now Support Knowledge Base.

You can edit or remove a threshold to keep the threshold ratings accurate. Editing a threshold recalculates the rating and breach status for associated metric data and metric definition data. Deleting or deactivating a threshold recalculates them against any other applicable threshold, and clears them if none applies. In either case, metric data that is already closed or completed keeps its existing rating.

**Parent Topic:**[Configuring GRC: Metrics](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/environmental-social-governance/configuring-grc-metrics.md)