10 tips for getting the most out of your BI dashboard
It’s easy to forget all the important data your business collects. But without it, you can’t make informed decisions that will help your company grow.
That’s where a BI dashboard comes in handy — with one central place to track and monitor everything from customer satisfaction to inventory levels, you’ll always know what’s happening at every level of your business.
But to get the most out of your BI dashboard, you need to make sure you’re using it to its full potential. Far too many businesses treat their BI dashboard as a static report when in reality it’s a dynamic tool that should be constantly used and updated.
If you are going to take full advantage of your BI dashboard, you need to know how to use it correctly. In this article, we will offer 10 tips for getting the most out of your BI dashboard.
What is a BI dashboard?
A BI dashboard is a visually based tool that allows businesses to track various data points and key performance indicators (KPIs) in one central location. This can include anything from customer satisfaction rates to inventory levels and can be tailored specifically to the needs of each business.
While a BI dashboard can be a valuable tool for any business, they are particularly helpful for businesses with a lot of data to track. This is because a BI dashboard allows you to see all of your data in one place, which can help you to identify patterns and trends more easily.
How to get the most out of your BI dashboard
Now that we know what a BI dashboard is and why they are so valuable, let’s take a look at how to get the most out of yours. Here are 10 tips for doing just that:
1. Tailor your dashboard to your specific needs
Every business is different, and thus every business will have different data points that are important to track. Make sure you tailor your BI dashboard to reflect this, and only include the data points that are relevant to your business. There is no need to overcrowd your dashboard with unnecessary information.
This can mean customizing the layout, graphics, and even the information displayed on your dashboard. Think about what is important to you and your business, and make sure that your BI dashboard reflects that.
When your dashboard is tailored to your specific business needs, you’ll be able to get the most out of it because all the information you need will be right at your fingertips.
2. Keep your dashboard up to date
Your BI dashboard should not be a static report. It is a dynamic tool that should be constantly used and updated. This means adding new data points as they become available and removing data points that are no longer relevant.
This can be a time-consuming process, but it is essential if you want to make the most of your BI dashboard. The last thing you want is outdated information cluttering up your dashboard and obscuring the valuable data points.
Don’t be afraid to make changes to your dashboard as needed. The goal is to have a dashboard that is always accurate and up-to-date, so you can make informed decisions based on the most current information available.
3. Make use of filters and drill-downs
One of the most powerful features of a BI dashboard is the ability to filter and drill down on specific data points. This allows you to focus on the exact information that you need and helps you to identify trends and patterns more easily.
Filters can be used to narrow down your data by date, location, or any other criteria that are important to you. Drill-downs allow you to go deeper into the data and see more detailed information about a specific data point.
Both of these features are incredibly valuable, so make sure you are taking advantage of them. The more you use them, the better you will understand your data and what it is telling you.
4. Use graphics and charts to visualize your data
One of the best ways to make sense of your data is to visualize it using graphics and charts. This can help you to see patterns and trends that you might not be able to see otherwise.
When choosing graphics and charts for your BI dashboard, make sure they are clear and easy to understand. You want your dashboard to be user-friendly, so avoid using anything that is too complex or difficult to interpret.
Graphics and charts can be a great way to quickly understand your data, so make sure you are taking advantage of them.
5. Use widgets to track key performance indicators (KPIs)
One of the best ways to track the success of your business is to track key performance indicators (KPIs). These are the essential data points that you need to track in order to gauge the health of your business.
Widgets are a great way to track KPIs because they allow you to see all the important information in one place. You can set up widgets for each KPI, and then customize them to display the information that is most important to you.
Having widgets for your KPIs is a great way to stay on top of your business performance. You can quickly see how each KPI is performing, and identify any areas that need improvement.
6. Use conditional formatting to highlight important data points
Another way to make sense of your data is to use conditional formatting to highlight important data points. This will make the important data stand out so you can easily see it.
There are many different ways to use conditional formatting, so experiment until you find one that works best for you. You might want to highlight data points that are above or below a certain threshold or that meet specific criteria.
Whatever method you choose, make sure you are using it to highlight the most important data points. This will help you to focus on the most important information and avoid being overwhelmed by all the data available.
7. Use sorting and grouping to organize your data
Sorting and grouping your data can be a great way to make it easier to understand. Sorting allows you to arrange your data in a specific order, while grouping allows you to create logical groups.
Both of these features can be incredibly useful, so make sure you are taking advantage of them. The more you use them, the better you will understand your data and what it is telling you.
8. Use alerts to notify you of changes in your data
One of the best ways to stay on top of your data is to use alerts. Alerts can notify you whenever there is a change in your data, so you can take action immediately.
You can set up alerts for any data point that is important to you. For example, you might want to be alerted when a KPI falls below a certain threshold, or when there is a sudden change in sales.
Alerts can be a great way to stay on top of your data, so make sure you are taking advantage of them.
9. Export your data for further analysis
Sometimes you need more than just a dashboard to understand your data. In these cases, it can be helpful to export your data for further analysis.
Exporting your data allows you to use other tools and software to analyze it in more detail. For example, you might want to use a spreadsheet application to perform more complex analysis or use a visualization tool to create custom graphics and charts.
Whatever tool you choose, make sure you are using it to its full potential. The more you understand your data, the better decisions you will be able to make for your business.
10. Keep your dashboard up to date
One of the most important things to remember is to keep your dashboard up to date. As your business changes, so too will the data that you need to track.
Make sure you are regularly updating your dashboard to reflect these changes. This will ensure that you are always viewing the most accurate information possible.
Conclusion
A BI dashboard can be a powerful tool for tracking and monitoring your business performance. To get the most out of your BI dashboard, you need to make sure you are using it to its full potential.
When you can see all the important information in one place, it becomes much easier to make informed decisions for your business.
Make sure you are taking advantage of widgets for your KPIs, conditional formatting, sorting and grouping, alerts, and exporting your data. And most importantly, keep your dashboard up to date. This will ensure that you are always viewing the most accurate information possible.
Once your company has the ability to track and monitor business performance by department, you can use this information to improve internal communication. This will lead to better decision-making and a more efficient and effective company overall.