Database Reference
In-Depth Information
How it works...
Dashboards share similar attributes to films (movies). A film requires a script, the actors,
directors, the set, and the equipment. In addition the film requires a rehearsal and a number
of processes which are best described by experts in that field. The final output which can
be viewed at the cinema or digital media is the films' dashboard.
The focus of this recipe is to highlight the fact that dashboards are only as good as the pro-
cesses and inputs they depend on. Often the dashboard requestor does not have the same
background, or in-depth understanding of the data the report creator requires.
Use the questioning technique in this recipe to bridge the gap between the requestor and the
creator. The process will ensure that the expectations of the requestor are aligned with the
actual effort required to create the dashboard.
An additional factor is the validity and ownership of the information the dashboard will de-
pend on. A dashboard regardless of type, which presents the wrong information will only
lead to chaos. Identifying the owner of the information will provide the report creator with
an escalation path as well as a policy enforcement option.
