A dashboard is only useful if it helps someone decide what to do next. The best metrics start with a business question, not with the data that happens to be available.
[ 01 ]
Start with the question
Write down the decision you need to make, such as “Which jobs are at risk of running late?” The metric should answer that question directly.
[ 02 ]
Define each KPI properly
- Source: where the data comes from and how often it updates.
- Owner: the person responsible for the number and the action.
- Target: what good looks like.
- Cadence: when the team reviews it.
[ 03 ]
Keep it focused
A handful of well-defined measures is more useful than a crowded screen. Review the dashboard regularly and remove metrics that no longer lead to action.
