Blogging by the Dashboard Light

Boxes and Arrows has a very good article, as usual, by Alex Kirtland called "Executive Dashboards" that is well worth reading. This whole concept of executive dashboards, displays of critical real-time information to decision makers, is one that I have run into many times during my professional career.

"As organizations push to become more nimble (and hence more competitive), dashboards are now being developed for managers of all stripes. When developing a dashboard, don't be surprised if you hear phrases such as: 'Every employee a CFO.' These reflect a realization by companies that faster decision-making helps them succeed. This means giving managers the ability to make decisions on their own." - Alex Kirtland, "Executive Dashboards"

In recent weeks a lot of my time thinking at work has been centered around the power and potential of pushing executive dashboards down to managers and employees. I can't get into specifics but everything confirms that having data doesn't mean you have information. You need to structure executive dashboards around specific user/role needs, and get any excess data out of the way. Give managers and employees information that is relevant to their daily decision making needs, and keep performance trends and other big-picture data separated.

I highly recommend reading Kirtland's article and then try a little exercise on your own. Get out a piece of paper and draw up a list of the kinds of information you would like to have at your fingertips 24/7. How would having that information instantaneously help you make better decisions? How would having that information help you improve performance, customer service, and quality? How would having that information improve the bottom line in the long run? Then have your manager and co-workers do the same exercise.