Metrics are imperative for many things, most hard science and most fields of engineering being but two. I suspect sales and marketing are another. The insurance business certainly requires 'em.

OTOH, been my observation that in warfare -- as opposed to the logistical or a very few support functions thereof -- metrics generally serve little purpose other than to give a false picture and that such an outcome is particularly probable if the improper metrics are chosen for illumination...

Though heaven knows these guys (LINK) agree with you on the potential...