Stephen Canning, CEO of JCurve Solutions has integrated data from multiple sources while using a dashboard which allows you to get an understanding of the big picture. The main key points in achieving business goals include,

1. Consider the objectives
2. Choose the right metrics
3. Use visuals
4. Key it accurate and current
5. Make it actionable
6. Be concise
7. Group related metrics
8. Prove easy access
9. Ask for feedback
10. Customize.

Please click on the link if you would like to view the full article and here is a summary.

The article underscores the significance of dashboards as a tool for business intelligence. Dashboards offer a consolidated, visual representation of a company’s most vital data, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the business environment. They render complex data digestible and useful, presenting real-time data that is visual, straightforward to comprehend, and accessible from any device, anywhere, at any time.

The article outlines ten ways to optimise the use of dashboards:

1. Consider the objectives: Understand what you aim to achieve with your dashboard. Take into account the audience, the users, and how the information will be utilised.
2. Choose the right metrics: Select metrics that are pertinent to your organisation’s goals and strategic objectives, and the role of the person accessing the dashboard. These metrics should relate to performance and have associated KPIs.
3. Use visuals: Dashboards should make crucial information quick and easy to read. Use charts, graphs, and leverage colour, shapes, and shading to enhance readability and support decision-making.
4. Keep it accurate and current: Ensure the information displayed is accurate and up-to-date as various parts of your business will rely on this information for decision-making.
5. Make it actionable: Dashboards should not only display vital information but also alert your team to take action to address any issues or harness opportunities.
6. Be concise: Dashboards should be concise, allowing users to view the information on a single screen swiftly.
7. Group related metrics: Group associated measures together for a comprehensive view of related aspects of your business.
8. Provide easy access: Dashboards should be easy to access with very few click-throughs or steps.
9. Ask for feedback: Dashboards should evolve based on feedback to continuously improve their effectiveness.
10. Customise: Each user should be able to easily customise their dashboard to meet their specific role requirements.

Canning concludes by stating that a successful business is one that’s informed. If you have the ability to know the current state of your business and can base your decisions on facts, not assumptions, you’ve got what it takes to achieve your goals.