RPO—Remaining Performance Obligations—might not be a term you hear often in private SaaS, but public companies are required to disclose it, and it’s becoming a critical forward-looking metric. In episode #300, Ben Murray breaks down the RPO concept, how it's calculated, and why it matters in understanding your future revenue.

Whether you’re preparing for due diligence or just want a stronger grip on your revenue story, understanding RPO can give you an edge.

What You’ll Learn

What “Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO)” means in SaaS
How RPO connects to deferred revenue and unbilled contract amounts
Why RPO is considered a forward-looking visibility metric
Real-world RPO definition from Snowflake
When RPO might apply to private SaaS companies — especially with multi-year deals

Why It Matters

A rising RPO often signals strong future revenue durability
Adds context to your SaaS metrics
Valuable in due diligence, PE conversations, and strategic exits

Resources Mentioned

Blog Post: Deep dive on RPO with real-world examples and use cases: https://www.thesaascfo.com/understanding-remaining-performance-obligations-in-saas/

RPO Explained: The Overlooked SaaS Metric That Signals Growth

SaaS Metrics School