Business Dashboards: A Visual Catalog for Design and Deployment

An essential guide for successful deployment of dashboard technology for optimal organizational performance

In order for managers to make the best possible decisions in the shortest amount of time, it is essential to turn data into structured information and then present this information in a format that is easy to read and that supports analysis. Business Dashboards: A Visual Catalog for Design and Deployment is designed to empower companies and government organizations to deploy dashboards that enable their employees to optimize performance management.

Extremely user–friendly, this book is based on three underlying principles: the power of process, providing step–by–step tools that can be used in a real–world implementation; the power of examples, presenting a large number of dashboard examples in order to give you and your project team as many ideas as possible for your dashboard project; and the critical essence of good data architecture, illustrated in the authors′ vision of a solid and carefully planned data architecture to support sustainable and successful dashboards.

A practical resource for what can be a daunting topic, Business Dashboards is filled with real–world examples and provides you with an understanding of:

Why Dashboards Have Become so Popular

The Role of Dashboards in a Business Intelligence Solution

The Best Types of Dashboards for Your Company

Designing Metrics and Key Performance Indicators

How to Prepare for Implementation

Creating the Right Business Intelligence Architecture for Dashboards

Why a Good Architecture Is Important

Data Warehouse Techniques

Examining all the various activities and technologies you should know about before, during, and after a dashboard implementation, Business Dashboards is your go–to resource for quick, relevant ideas to help your organization benefit from this powerful technology.

Preface.

Book Summary. 

Part 1. Introduction to Dashboards.

Chapter 1. Dashboards Definition.

Chapter 2. Dashboards′ Role in a Business Intelligence Solution.

Chapter 3. Why Dashboards Have Become so Popular.

Chapter 4. Types of Dashboards.

Chapter 5. Designing Metrics and Key Performance Indicators.

Chapter 6. Dashboard Scenario: Use Case.

Chapter 7. Getting Ready for the Implementation.

Part 2. Summary and Readiness Checklist.

Part Two. Creating the Right Business Intelligence Architecture for Dashboards.

Chapter 8. Why a Good Architecture Is Important.

Chapter 9. Data Warehouse Techniques.

Chapter 10. Data Replication and Delivery.

Chapter 11. Query Language and Interactivity.

Chapter 12. Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence Dashboard Paradigm.

Chapter 13. Mobile Business Intelligence.

Part Two. Summary and Readiness Checklist.

Part 3. Dashboard Design.

Chapter 14. Design Tips.

Chapter 15. Dashboard Examples.

Part Three. Summary and Readiness Checklist.

Part 4. Managing a Dashboard Project.

Chapter 16. Planning the Project.

Chapter 17. Engaging the Users.

Chapter 18. Project Tips.

Chapter 19. Training and Deployment.

Part Four. Summary and Readiness Checklist.

Appendix A. Software Selection Tips.

Appendix B. Installation.

Appendix C. Hardware Recommendations.

Appendix D. Security Authentication Techniques.

Appendix E. Metrics and Key Performance Indicator Examples.

About the Authors.

Index.

NILS RASMUSSEN, BA, MBA, is the CEO at Solver, Inc., an international company that provides implementation of comprehensive performance management, planning, analytics, scorecard, and dashboard solutions. He is the coauthor of three titles published by John Wiley & Sons.

CLAIRE Y. CHEN is the Chief Business Intelligence Architect at Solver, Inc., and the Microsoft Virtual Technology Specialist in Southern California region. She is well experienced in providing data warehouse and business intelligence solutions via multiple technologies in various industries.

MANISH BANSAL, BE, MS, is the Vice President at Solver, Inc., and advises companies on various ways to improve performance by leveraging technology solutions. He is an experienced management consultant who has worked across various industries and functional areas, with a special focus to deliver value.

"The book tackles the question from the ground up, explaining what dashboards are and what they′re for, before diving deeply into data architecture and visual design, with tons of examples and illustrations. It even explains why dashboards are so popular." ( Accounting Today, June 1–14, 2009)