SAP Business Objects Dashboard (BCO6181, VUT)
Definition
A dashboard is a collection of information that improves performance of the business and individual as well as easily accessible. The collection of information comes from different sources and in different formats.
“Dashboard design is a story-telling. A good story contains a beginning, an end and a point.”
There is a 5-step process that one can follow to be successful in their dashboard deployment.
Step-1 Scoping
It includes various steps. Firstly, conduct scoping sessions and gather requirements such as data, design and functional. Who is the solution designed for? What decision will be made with the solution?
- Scan the KPI’s (Look for exceptions by scanning multiple reports daily)
- Isolate the problems(Look through several reports that contain detailed data to determine which specific area needs attention)
- Determine the root cause(Conduct OLAP analysis to analyse related dimension to determine root cause of the problem)
Step-2 Mock-up
Start with implement design requirements and functional requirements such as dashboard layout, dashboard look, and user interaction and navigation placement on dashboard.
Step-3 Data
This step includes validation and connectivity data sources, data output format, availability of data and SAP BW (BICS), Non-SAP (Flynet), BOBJ (Query browser, Live Office, BIWS, Antivia) respectively.
Step-4 Go-Live
Go-Live have user acceptance testing (UAT). Unit and performance testing is done to check the functionality and data quality. After that, in launch phase, adoption of high users is done and prepares it for next phase.
Step-5 Knowledge Transfer
This includes two steps- documentation (Technical and end user guide) and training (socialize dashboard with end users).
Dashboard Needs
Business needs
- Able to manage and monitor metrics
- High-impact interactive visualization of key metrics.
- Navigation and intuitive user interface
- Personalized content and display
Technology needs
- Scalable for growing organization
- Flexible because of changing needs of the organization
- Dashboard building capabilities are easy
- To leverage existing BI investments, integration is done.
- Security to ensure access by proper user.
Dashboard Use Cases
Executive Monitoring- It includes constant updates, task and action, view at a glance, drill down to detail and exception highlights. If an executive wants to review their critical information in an attractive and accessible format then executive monitoring is helpful.
Visualization Package- Visualization package have attractive evidence, highlight message, local data, limited interaction. It help analyst to create incredible output that impress people and they react to information.
Interactive Application- It helps to browse vast data, designed user experience, Interactive controls, action and process. Through this, people can change assumptions, make plans and review alternatives.
Information Wall- It gives constantly updates and provides information quickly about task. It has limited interaction and data, unattended operations and it also design user experience.
We are gladly thankful to our SAP mentors Paul Hawking and Tony de Thomasis.
Related Links
http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/uac/library-bi#section8
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=xcelsius&aq=f
Group Members
Ravneet Kaur
Rajinder Kaur
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