In today’s advancements in automation, various tools have enabled us to build more dashboards in less time. However, despite these technological leaps, the foundational elements of dashboard creation and maintenance must not be overlooked. Time and again, large companies synthesize vast amounts of data from diverse databases, countries and functions, only to find that post-project data quality maintenance and design improvements are neglected.
As projects reach completion, the initial data quality and design integrity can degrade. Over time, users may notice inaccuracies in the data, prompting the creation of parallel local reports that summarize the initially integrated data. While integrating and designing a dashboard with hundreds of KPIs across multiple levels—from global to specific locations—requires significant effort, project owners must recognize that maintaining high data quality and continuously improving dashboard designs and visuals demand at least the same level of commitment.
A dashboard is not inherently useful unless it is actively utilized. It must facilitate feedback so that owners can implement processes to address user questions and foster trust in the results. Every year, tools improve, but it is up to each organization to designate an owner responsible for ensuring continuous improvement in reports and dashboards.
One of my projects, which evolved into a long-term program, took 2-3 months of hard work to set up. However, maintaining and improving it was equally challenging. Constant communication about KPI definitions and their significance, ongoing adjustments based on user feedback, user surveys to identify improvement areas, and other administrative processes were essential. After seven years of diligent work, the results far surpassed those achieved just months after the project’s inception. This success was thanks to a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement and active stakeholder engagement.
I am a strong advocate for robust processes. While people often debate which tools are superior, my experience indicates that the tools themselves can be designed to be quite similar. What organizations truly need is the right owner for a specific program to ensure its success. Effective leadership, ongoing maintenance, and continuous improvement are key to transforming dashboards from mere data displays into vital decision-making tools.
Author: Ion Ilovan, 05 June 2024