Kennwert

Kennwert is a German term that denotes a characteristic value used to describe properties of a system, object, measurement, or dataset. A Kennwert is typically a single numeric value chosen to summarize, compare, or monitor a phenomenon, capturing the most relevant feature of interest.

The term is used across disciplines, including physics, engineering, statistics, and economics. In science and engineering, Kennwerte describe essential behavior or properties of a component or process, such as a material’s response, a device’s performance, or a model’s parameter. Because Kennwerte are intended to summarize complex information, they are often employed in reporting, design decisions, and diagnostic contexts.

In statistics, Kennwert can refer to a statistical quantity or estimator derived from data that serves as a descriptive or inferential descriptor of a population parameter. However, more common terms in statistics are Schätzer (estimator) or Statistik (statistic), and Kennwert may appear as a synonym in some texts, depending on the author’s choice of terminology.

Relation to related terms: Kennwert is closely related to Kennzahl or Key figure, which denotes a numerical indicator used for evaluation, performance tracking, or decision support. The distinction is that a Kennwert emphasizes the descriptive characteristic, while Kennzahl emphasizes practical or managerial use.

See also: Kennzahl, Parameter, Statistik, Messgröße.