Complex sentence: Its better to start the metrics collection as we think we are closing in on an MOU than to have late updates; metrics about prior growth lend insight to the larger trend in change for the partnership (effectiveness/impact).
Split into simpler sentences: Its better to start the metrics collection as we think we are closing in on an MOU, than to have late updates. Metrics about prior growth lend insight to the larger trend in change for the partnership (effectiveness/impact).