指标 is very common in business and government contexts. 完成指标 = meet targets. KPI is often translated as 关键绩效指标. In daily life, 车牌指标 refers to license plate quotas in cities like Beijing.
culture
In Beijing and Shanghai, you need a 指标 (quota/permit) just to buy a car license plate. The lottery system (摇号 yáohào) means some people wait years for their 指标.
