The Top 3 KPIs Every Marine Shop Should Be Tracking (But Probably Isn’t)

In the marine service world, most shops track the basics—total revenue, labor hours, maybe even inventory levels. But the most successful operations look deeper. They rely on key performance indicators (KPIs) that show not just what happened, but how to get better.

Here are three overlooked—but essential—KPIs that can help you spot inefficiencies, increase profitability, and grow your business.

1. Average Work Order Completion Time

How long does it take from the moment a job is opened to when it’s marked complete? This metric shines a light on process bottlenecks, technician capacity, and scheduling gaps. If jobs are dragging out longer than expected, it might be time to reevaluate your workflow—or implement better visibility with a tool like ShopTrack.

2. Quote-to-Conversion Rate

Are your estimates turning into jobs? If not, you might have a pricing, communication, or follow-up issue. Tracking how many quotes turn into actual work can help you pinpoint opportunities to train staff, streamline approvals, or improve how you present estimates to customers.

3. Return Visit Frequency

You want customers to come back—but not because something went wrong. Track how often boats return for the same issue or unexpected follow-up work. A high return rate might mean there’s a quality issue in your process, or a breakdown in how service expectations are communicated.

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Start tracking these three KPIs, and you’ll not only run a more efficient shop—you’ll be better equipped to grow it.