Automated generation of dashboards for scorecard metrics and subordinate reporting

An interactive dashboard providing scorecard presentation with subordinate reports is automatically generated and configured based on centrally managed metadata definitions. The dashboard may be customized based on subscriber credentials, past preferences, and the like. The dashboard may be deployed to one or more locations to be consumed and further customized by end users.

BACKGROUND

Key Performance Indicators, also known as KPI or Key Success Indicators (KSI), help an organization define and measure progress toward organizational goals. Once an organization has analyzed its mission, identified all its stakeholders, and defined its goals, it needs a way to measure progress toward those goals. Key Performance Indicators are used to provide those measurements.

Scorecards are used to provide detailed and summary analysis of KPI's and aggregated KPI's such as KPI groups, objectives, and the like. Scorecard calculations are typically specific to a defined hierarchy of the above mentioned elements, selected targets, and status indicator schemes. Business logic applications that generate, author, and analyze scorecards are typically enterprise applications with multiple users (subscribers), designers, and administrators. It is not uncommon, for organizations to provide their raw performance data to a third party and receive scorecard representations, analysis results, and similar reports.

Scorecards and dashboards provide “at-a-glance” information about business performance across the enterprise. While scorecards provide a visual representation of standard KPIs, dashboards provide an illustrative representation of business performance across an entire organization. Dashboards highlight critical areas of interest against which further detailed information may be requested.

Some business applications are limited in coordinating scorecard services. Typically, manual configuration is required to create an interactive dashboard where a user can drill down across metrics in a scorecard. Other applications create a dashboard by first creating a website, then creating a storage container (also referred to as “list”), creating a special form of the web page for that list, and adding the appropriate web parts to configure them in the desired format with the desired associations.

SUMMARY

Aspects are directed to automatically generating a dashboard template based on a scorecard selection and enabling a subscriber to customize the dashboard. Definitions associated with the template are stored in metadata. The dashboard may be deployed to one or more locations to be consumed and further customized by end users independent of a web presentation platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As briefly described above, a dashboard providing a scorecard view along with selected subordinate reports may be defined based on subscriber selections and deployed to one or more servers using centrally managed metadata. In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrations specific embodiments or examples. These aspects may be combined, other aspects may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring now to the drawings, aspects and an exemplary computing operating environment will be described.FIG. 1and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment in which the invention may be implemented. While the embodiments will be described in the general context of program modules that execute in conjunction with an application program that runs on an operating system on a personal computer, those skilled in the art will recognize that aspects may also be implemented in combination with other program modules.

With reference toFIG. 1, one exemplary system for implementing the embodiments includes a computing device, such as computing device100. In a basic configuration, the computing device100typically includes at least one processing unit102and system memory104. Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, the system memory104may be volatile (such as RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) or some combination of the two. System memory104typically includes an operating system105suitable for controlling the operation of a networked personal computer, such as the WINDOWS® operating systems from MICROSOFT CORPORATION of Redmond, Wash. The system memory104may also include one or more software applications such as program modules106, scorecard application120, dashboard module122, and reporting application(s)124. Scorecard application120manages business evaluation methods, computes KPI's, and provides scorecard data to reporting application(s)124. In some embodiments, scorecard application120may itself generate reports based on metric data.

Dashboard module122manages coordination and presentation of subordinate reports with scorecard application120. Dashboard module122may be an integrated part of scorecard application120or a separate application. Scorecard application120, dashboard module122, and reporting application(s)124may communicate between themselves and with other applications running on computing device100or on other devices. Furthermore, any one of scorecard application120, dashboard module122, and reporting application(s)124may be executed in an operating system other than operating system105. This basic configuration is illustrated inFIG. 1by those components within dashed line108.

Referring toFIG. 2, a system where example embodiments may be implemented, is illustrated. System200may comprise any topology of servers, clients, Internet service providers, and communication media. Also, system200may have a static or dynamic topology. The term “client” may refer to a client application or a client device employed by a user to perform business logic operations. Scorecard service202, database server204, and report server206may also be one or more programs or a server machine executing programs associated with the server tasks. Both clients and application servers may be embodied as single device (or program) or a number of devices (programs). Similarly, data sources may include one or more data stores, input devices, and the like.

A business logic application may be run centrally on scorecard service202or in a distributed manner over several servers and/or client devices. Scorecard service202may include implementation of a number of information systems such as performance measures, business scorecards, and exception reporting. A number of organization-specific applications including, but not limited to, financial reporting, analysis, marketing analysis, customer service, and manufacturing planning applications may also be configured, deployed, and shared in system200. In addition, the business logic application may also be run in one or more client devices and information exchanged over network(s)210.

Data sources212,214, and216are examples of a number of data sources that may provide input to scorecard service202through database server204. Additional data sources may include SQL servers, databases, non multi-dimensional data sources such as text files or EXCELS sheets, multi-dimensional data source such as data cubes, and the like. Database server204may manage the data sources, optimize queries, and the like.

Users may interact with scorecard service202running the business logic application from client devices222,224, and226over network(s)210. In one embodiment, additional applications that consume scorecard-based data may reside on scorecard service202or client devices222,224, and226. Examples of such applications and their relation to the scorecard application are provided below in conjunction withFIG. 3.

Report server206may include reporting applications, such as charting applications, alerting applications, analysis applications, and the like. These applications may receive scorecard data from scorecard service202and provide reports directly or through scorecard service202to clients.

Network(s)210may include a secure network such as an enterprise network, or an unsecure network such as a wireless open network. Network(s)210provide communication between the nodes described above. By way of example, and not limitation, network(s)210may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

Many other configurations of computing devices, applications, data sources, data distribution and analysis systems may be employed to implement a business logic application automatically generating dashboards with scorecard metrics and subordinate reporting.

Now referring toFIG. 3, example scorecard architecture300is illustrated. Scorecard architecture300may comprise any topology of processing systems, storage systems, source systems, and configuration systems. Scorecard architecture300may also have a static or dynamic topology.

Scorecards are a simple method of evaluating organizational performance. The performance measures may vary from financial data such as sales growth to service information such as customer complaints. In a non-business environment, student performances and teacher assessments may be another example of performance measures that can employ scorecards for evaluating organizational performance. In the exemplary scorecard architecture300, a core of the system is scorecard engine308. Scorecard engine308may be an application that is arranged to evaluate performance metrics. Scorecard engine308may be loaded into a server, executed over a distributed network, executed in a client device, and the like.

In addition to performing scorecard calculation, scorecard engine may also provide report parameters associated with a scorecard to other applications318. The report parameters may be determined based on a subscriber request or a user interface configuration. The user interface configuration may include a subscriber credential or a subscriber permission attribute. The report parameter may include a scorecard identifier, a scorecard view identifier, a row identifier, a column identifier, a page filter, a performance measure group identifier, or a performance measure identifier. The performance measure may be a KPI, a KPI group, or an objective. The page filter determines a period and an organizational unit for application of the scorecard calculations.

Data for evaluating various measures may be provided by a data source. The data source may include source systems312, which provide data to a scorecard cube314or to the scorecard service directly. Source systems312may include multi-dimensional databases such as an Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) database, other databases, individual files, and the like, that provide raw data for generation of scorecards. Scorecard cube314is a multi-dimensional database for storing data to be used in determining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as well as generated scorecards themselves. As discussed above, the multi-dimensional nature of scorecard cube314enables storage, use, and presentation of data over multiple dimensions such as compound performance indicators for different geographic areas, organizational groups, or even for different time intervals. Scorecard cube314has a bi-directional interaction with scorecard engine308providing and receiving raw data as well as generated scorecards.

Scorecard database316is arranged to operate in a similar manner to scorecard cube314. In one embodiment, scorecard database316may be an external database providing a caching service that may also be used as a redundant back-up database service.

Scorecard builder302may be a separate application, a part of the performance evaluation application, and the like. Scorecard builder302is employed to configure various parameters of scorecard engine308such as scorecard elements, default values for actuals, targets, and the like. Scorecard builder302may include a user interface such as a web service, a Graphical User Interface (GUI), and the like.

Strategy map builder304is employed for a later stage in scorecard generation process. As explained below, scores for KPIs and parent nodes such as Objective and Perspective may be presented to a user in form of a strategy map. Strategy map builder304may include a user interface for selecting graphical formats, indicator elements, and other graphical parameters of the presentation.

Data Sources306may be another source for providing raw data to scorecard engine308. Data sources may be comprised of a mix of several multi-dimensional and relational databases or other Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)-accessible data source systems (e.g. Excel, text files, etc.). Data sources306may also define KPI mappings and other associated data.

Scorecard architecture300may include scorecard presentation310. This may be an application to deploy scorecards, customize views, coordinate distribution of scorecard data, and process web-specific applications associated with the performance evaluation process. For example, scorecard presentation310may include a web-based printing system, an email distribution system, and the like. A user interface for scorecard presentation310may also include an overview of available scorecards for a subscriber to select from. Scorecard presentation310may further include a matrix or a list presentation of the scorecard data. The scorecard presentation and one or more zones for other applications may be displayed in an integrated manner.

Dashboard module320is configured to interact with scorecard engine308, scorecard presentation310, other applications318, and manage automated generation of dashboards with scorecard metrics and subordinate reporting.

Other applications318may include any application that receives data associated with a report parameter and consumes the data to provide a report, perform analysis, provide alerts, perform further calculations, and the like. The data associated with the report parameter includes content data and metadata. Other applications may be selected based on the report parameter, a subscriber request, or a user interface configuration. The user interface configuration may include a subscriber credential or a subscriber permission attribute. Other applications318may include a graphical representation application, a database application, a data analysis application, a communications application, an alerting application, or a word processing application.

FIG. 4illustrates a screenshot of an example scorecard. As explained before, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are specific indicators of organizational performance that measure a current state in relation to meeting the targeted objectives. Decision makers may utilize these indicators to manage the organization more effectively.

When creating a KPI, the KPI definition may be used across several scorecards. This is useful when different scorecard managers might have a shared KPI in common. The shared use of KPI definition may ensure a standard definition is used for that KPI. Despite the shared definition, each individual scorecard may utilize a different data source and data mappings for the actual KPI.

Each KPI may include a number of attributes. Some of these attributes include frequency of data, unit of measure, trend type, weight, and other attributes. The frequency of data identifies how often the data is updated in the source database (cube). The frequency of data may include: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, and Annually.

The unit of measure provides an interpretation for the KPI. Some of the units of measure are: Integer, Decimal, Percent, Days, and Currency. These examples are not exhaustive, and other elements may be added without departing from the scope of the invention.

A trend type may be set according to whether an increasing trend is desirable or not. For example, increasing profit is a desirable trend, while increasing defect rates is not. The trend type may be used in determining the KPI status to display and in setting and interpreting the KPI banding boundary values. The trend arrows displayed in scorecard400indicate how the numbers are moving this period compared to last. If in this period the number is greater than last period, the trend is up regardless of the trend type. Possible trend types may include: Increasing Is Better, Decreasing Is Better, and On-Target Is Better.

Weight is a positive integer used to qualify the relative value of a KPI in relation to other KPIs. It is used to calculate the aggregated scorecard value. For example, if an Objective in a scorecard has two KPIs, the first KPI has a weight of 1, and the second has a weight of 3 the second KPI is essentially three times more important than the first, and this weighted relationship is part of the calculation when the KPIs' values are rolled up to derive the values of their parent Objective.

Other attributes may contain pointers to custom attributes that may be created for documentation purposes or used for various other aspects of the scorecard system such as creating different views in different graphical representations of the finished scorecard. Custom attributes may be created for any scorecard element and may be extended or customized by application developers or users for use in their own applications. They may be any of a number of types including text, numbers, percentages, dates, and hyperlinks.

One of the benefits of defining a scorecard is the ability to easily quantify and visualize performance in meeting organizational strategy. By providing a status at an overall scorecard level, and for each perspective, each objective or each KPI rollup, one may quickly identify where one might be off target. By utilizing the hierarchical scorecard definition along with KPI weightings, a status value is calculated at each level of the scorecard.

First column of scorecard400shows example elements perspective420“Manufacturing” with objectives422and424“Inventory” and “Assembly” (respectively) reporting to it. Second column402in scorecard400shows results for each measure from a previous measurement period. Third column404shows results for the same measures for the current measurement period. In one embodiment, the measurement period may include a month, a quarter, a tax year, a calendar year, and the like.

Fourth column406includes target values for specified KPIs on scorecard400. Target values may be retrieved from a database, entered by a user, and the like. Column408of scorecard400shows status indicators.

Status indicators430convey the state of the KPI. An indicator may have a predetermined number of levels. A traffic light is one of the most commonly used indicators. It represents a KPI with three-levels of results—Good, Neutral, and Bad. Traffic light indicators may be colored red, yellow, or green. In addition, each colored indicator may have its own unique shape. A KPI may have one stoplight indicator visible at any given time. Indicators with more than three levels may appear as a bar divided into sections, or bands. Column416includes trend type arrows as explained above under KPI attributes. Column418shows another KPI attribute, frequency.

FIG. 5illustrates an example deployment UI for generating dashboards with scorecard metrics and subordinate reporting. Deployment UI500shows an example of many ways of interfacing with a subscriber to generate and deploy a dashboard based on scorecard information. First portion of the UI designated by reference numeral510provides options for the dashboard in dropdown menu style. The options are title511(e.g. “FY 06 Q1 Review”), document library512for defining a source for support documentation, layout513for the layout of the scorecard presentation, and reports views514to indicate a number of the subordinate reports to be presented along with the scorecard. A preview515may also be included to provide feedback to the subscriber. A deploy button allows the subscriber to deploy the dashboard once all options have been selected. Progress monitor516shows a status of deployment progress.

A second portion of the deployment UI designated by reference numeral520includes a network address (Site URL522) for the deployment location. A list of already deployed pages524is also provided. Control buttons526enable the subscriber to deploy a selected page, open for editing, or remove from the list of available pages.

Embodiments are not limited to the example UI layouts and methods described above. Dashboard options may be provided and input received from subscribers in many other ways including, but not limited to, drag and drop style controls, directory-tree style listing of options, graphic (icons) presentation of options, and the like.

Scorecard view602is the scorecard presentation screen of a scorecard application. It presents example scorecard620for “Manufacturing Evaluation” for first quarter of 2005 (Q1-2005). Elements of scorecard620such as KPI's, objectives, columns, indicators, and the like have been described previously. Overview604is another user interface (UI) of the scorecard application that presents a subscriber available scorecards for selection. In some embodiments, scorecard620may be selected dynamically based on subscriber credentials, UI configuration, and the like.

According to some embodiments, the scorecard application may include one or more zones for displaying user interfaces of other applications associated with the scorecard application. Such applications may include a graphical representation application, a database application, a data analysis application, a communications application, an alerting application, and a word processing application. These applications may receive data associated with the scorecard and present various UI's to the user such as an interactive chart, an alert UI, a communication forum for subscribers, and the like. A layout of the zones may be determined by a default configuration of the scorecard application, user selection, and the like.

According to one embodiment, page filters, row slices, column slices, and the like may be sent from a scorecard view through a query string to another application. This enables a subscriber to create a custom view that displays selected data in an active cell in a scorecard view. The information may be passed to the other application in form of a query string.

In another embodiment, a query string is generated when the subscriber selects data in a scorecard that has page filters. The items in the query string may be in form of well-formed XML fragments. Each XML fragment may contain a root node for page filters, row slices, and column slices. The root node might or might not contain child nodes, depending on what page filters, row slices, or column slices are passed. Other information that is passed in the query string may include the scorecard ID, the objective ID, and the KPI measure ID.

Data associated with the scorecard (e.g. query strings in form of XML fragments) may be provided to the other applications in zones606,608, and610. According to another embodiment, data associated with the scorecard may be provided by a target application to the scorecard application for updating the scorecard. Blocks and illustrations of diagram600are exemplary, and do not constitute a limitation on embodiments. Other embodiments may be implemented using different number of zones, different layouts, and scorecard views.

FIG. 7illustrates different examples of subordinate report placement in a scorecard presentation. Dashboard layout may include a scorecard presentation accompanied by a number of selected subordinate reports. As described previously, the subordinate reports may include charts, diagrams, analyses, as well as discussion threads, document libraries, and the like. Placement of subordinate reports in the dashboard layout in relation to the scorecard presentation may be based on size and number of subordinate reports, as well as their type(s).

For example, dimensions of reports may be selected based on their information content. A chart may be presented in a more proportional window, while a spreadsheet analysis may be presented in a more elongated window (zone). Example layout702shows a scorecard presentation with zones1and2to its right for two separate subordinate reports, and zone3at the bottom for yet another report. A width of zone3is selected to match the total width of the scorecard presentation and zones1and2adjacent to it.

Example layout704shows a similar placement of the three zones with zones1and2placed laterally this time, instead of one over the other. Zone3is still dimensioned to match the total width of the zones and scorecard presentation above it. Example layout706shows the scorecard presentation and zones1,2similarly positioned to example layout702, while zone3is not sized to match the total width this time. The change in the dimension may be intended to accommodate a type of subordinate report to be placed in zone3.

FIG. 8illustrates a screenshot of an example scorecard presentation with multiple associated zones. Scorecard802is shown with two subordinate charts (806and808) in an application editor (830).

Scorecard802summarizes metrics for a particular division and financial period of an organization. Page filters, such as departments, organizational units, and period, are provided above the scorecard presentation in dropdown menu style. Scorecard802includes different levels of KPI's and objectives along with associated actuals, targets, and status indicators. By selecting among the available time periods and organizational units, a subscriber changes source data for the scorecard.

Subordinate reports806and808show two different charts based on scorecard802. The data for the presented charts may be passed by the scorecard application to the charting application such as Microsoft EXCEL®. Other applications such as those listed before may also be presented in subordinate reports806and808. Furthermore, a layout of the subordinate reports may be set depending on the report type, scorecard presentation dimensions, and the like.

While the subordinate reports are shown with limited UI elements, other applications may include UI elements that enable a subscriber to submit modifications to the report parameters (scorecard elements that are passed to the applications). In that case, the submitted modifications may be received by the scorecard application and scorecard802updated based on the modifications. Other scorecard presentations, target applications, status indicators, and the like may be implemented using the principles described herein.

Dashboard800includes additional elements such as RSS Viewer application822, which may be used to display RSS feeds associated with the scorecard application and the presented scorecard. Further elements for dashboard800include Contacts812, which lists names and contact information for subscribers associated with the presented scorecard; General Discussion forum814, which may be used to facilitate a discussion among subscribers; and Announcements816, which may be used to provide information such as alerts to subscribers related to the presented scorecard.

For example, alerts with different conditions may be assigned to the scores specific to individual levels or aggregate levels (e.g. objectives). Alerts may be based on absolute value comparisons (e.g. actual to target, actual to a threshold, and the like), status indicators (e.g. traffic light scheme, banding, trend scheme), range comparisons (e.g. actual or actual to target ratio within a range, outside a range, and the like), or on/off target determinations.

The example implementation of a dashboards, scorecards, and subordinate reports inFIGS. 3 through 8is intended for illustration purposes only and should not be construed as a limitation on embodiments. Other embodiments may be implemented using the principles described herein.

FIG. 9illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process for automated generation of dashboards with scorecard metrics and subordinate reporting in a business logic system. Process900may be implemented in a business logic application.

Process900begins with operation902, where a scorecard selection is received. The scorecard selection may be received from a subscriber selection among a number of available scorecards, from subscriber credentials, from past preferences, and the like. The scorecard selection is typically associated with a number of subordinate reports. According to some embodiments, an association between KPIs, scorecards, and subordinate reports is provided, in that each KPI has a subordinate report, and as KPIs are assembled into a scorecard to evaluate a particular ensemble of metrics, the pre-defined subordinate reports and associated analytics are brought along. Moreover, the behavior of the subordinate reports may also be predefined and designed to work within the dashboard layout selected. Processing moves from operation902to operation904.

At operation904, a number of dashboard layout options are provided to the subscriber. Dashboard layout options may depend on subscriber credentials (or permissions), the scorecard selection, system resources, and the like. Dashboard layout options may be provided along with a preview of available options. Processing advances from operation904to operation906.

At operation906, a dashboard layout selection is received. The dashboard layout selection may include the selected scorecard presentation along with its associated subordinate reports in a selected format. A “What You Get Is What You See” (WYSIWYG) preview may be provided upon receiving the dashboard layout selection.

At following operation908, metadata is updated with the dashboard layout information. To instantiate, deploy, and centrally manage a dashboard independent of a web platform, layout information including links may be provided in the metadata eliminating a need to generate a separate document or documents integrating the scorecard components to form the dashboard. Processing moves from operation98to operation910.

At operation910, the dashboard is instantiated. Following instantiation of the dashboard, it may be deployed at operation912to one or more servers for consumption and/or further customization by end users, or to be centrally managed and only viewed by end users. After operation912, processing moves to a calling process for further actions.

The operations included in process900are for illustration purposes. Automatic generation of dashboards with scorecard metrics and subordinate reporting may be implemented by similar processes with fewer or additional steps, as well as in different order of operations using the principles described herein.