Retention, churn & expansion · Core
Customer lifetime value
Also called: LTV, CLV
ELI5
Estimated economic value generated by a customer over the relationship, under disclosed assumptions.
Used in conversation
“Keep customer lifetime value on the dashboard, but show the definition and reporting period beside it.”
Pitch context
You will see “Customer lifetime value” in go-to-market plans, sales forecasts, account reviews and commercial proposals when the discussion reaches retention, churn & expansion.
Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret retention, churn & expansion without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.
Connected terms
- Lifetime valueThe search label “CLV” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 2
Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Write your business planSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- IFRS Foundation — IFRS GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16