7 mistakes of BI dashboard sharing
Within the world of big business, data drives nearly everything. In order to make informed decisions that will lead to success, business intelligence (BI) is critical. In short, BI involves collecting data and turning it into insights that can be used to guide decision-making.
One of the most important aspects of BI is sharing dashboards. Dashboards provide a visual representation of data that can be used to spot trends, track progress, and make comparisons.
When done correctly, sharing dashboards can be a powerful way to communicate about data. However, there are a few mistakes that can occur when dashboards are shared carelessly or without proper protocols in place, and the results can be disastrous.
In this article, we are going to walk through seven of the biggest mistakes that can be made when sharing BI dashboards. But have no fear, we will also share some tips on how to avoid these pitfalls.
First, let’s take a look at the benefits of BI dashboards and why they’ve become such an integral part of the business world.
Benefits of BI dashboards
There are many reasons why businesses use BI dashboards. Some of the most common benefits include:
Time savings
With BI dashboards, businesses can save time by having all the data they need in one place. This data can be used to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.
Improved decision-making
BI dashboards provide insights that can be used to improve decision-making. By understanding trends and patterns, businesses can make better decisions that lead to success.
Enhanced collaboration
BI dashboards can be used to enhance collaboration between team members. By sharing data and insights, team members can work together more effectively to achieve objectives.
Increased accountability
BI dashboards can also help increase accountability within an organization. When data is shared openly, it’s easier to hold individuals and teams accountable for their performance.
Greater insights
BI dashboards provide greater insights into data, which can be used to improve business processes. By understanding how data affects the bottom line, businesses can make changes that lead to improved results.
These benefits have made it easier than ever for businesses to utilize the power of BI to improve their operations. However, a few mistakes can occur when BI dashboards are shared carelessly or without proper protocols in place.
Mistake #1: Not sharing dashboards internally
Why create a BI dashboard if you’re not going to share it with the people who need it?
When dashboards aren’t shared internally with others in your organization, it leads to several problems. First, decision-makers won’t have the data they need to make informed decisions.
Second, team members won’t be able to collaborate effectively. And finally, it will be difficult to hold individuals and teams accountable for their performance.
If you want to get the most out of your BI dashboards, it’s important to share them internally with the people who will benefit from them. By doing so, you’ll be able to save time, improve decision-making, and enhance collaboration.
Mistake #2: Not sharing dashboards externally
Just as important as sharing dashboards internally is sharing them externally.
This is especially serious when the dashboard’s purpose is to inform or educate those who may not be familiar with the data. When dashboards are not shared externally with clients, it can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication.
It’s important to remember that BI dashboards are not just for internal use. They can also be used to communicate with external stakeholders. Make sure to clearly define the audience for each dashboard and share it with them accordingly.
Mistake #3: Not using the right BI tools
BI dashboards are built using software tools. There are many different options available, and it can be tempting to choose the first one you come across.
However, some platforms are better than others, and some may not be suitable for your specific needs. It’s essential to take the time to research different software options and choose the one that’s right for you.
What goes into a powerful BI dashboard tool? Here are a few features to look for:
The ability to connect to multiple data sources: A good BI dashboard tool should be able to connect to multiple data sources. This way, you’ll be able to combine data from different sources and get a more comprehensive view of your business.
The ability to create custom reports: A good BI dashboard tool should also allow you to create custom reports. This way, you’ll be able to tailor the information that’s displayed to meet your specific needs.
The ability to share dashboards: A good BI dashboard tool should also allow you to share dashboards with other users. This way, you’ll be able to collaborate with team members and stakeholders.
Mistake #4: Not updating dashboards regularly
Just as important as creating BI dashboards is updating them on a regular basis. After all, the data that’s used to create dashboards can quickly become outdated.
If you want to get the most out of your dashboards, it’s important to update them regularly. This way, you’ll be able to ensure that the information they contain is accurate and up-to-date. One way to ensure that dashboards are updated regularly is to automate the process.
Mistake #5: Failing to secure dashboards
Another mistake of BI dashboard sharing is failing to secure dashboards. This is especially important if the dashboards contain sensitive information.
If dashboards are not properly secured, it could lead to a data breach. This could result in the loss of confidential information or the exposure of trade secrets. For example, dashboards built using marketing data could contain information about upcoming product launches.
Some BI tools allow you to password-protect dashboards, while others allow you to encrypt the data that’s used to build them. You should also make sure that you’re only sharing dashboards with individuals who are authorized to view the data. By using a BI tool with these security features, you’ll be able to make sure that unauthorized people cannot access your dashboards.
Mistake #6: Not backing up dashboards
Just as important as securing dashboards is backing them up.
This is because dashboards can be lost or corrupted just like any other type of data. If you don’t have a backup of your dashboards, you could lose valuable information if something were to happen to the originals.
Imagine, for example, that you have a dashboard that contains information about your company’s financial performance. If this dashboard were to be lost or corrupted, you would lose valuable insight into your company’s finances.
As such, it’s important to make sure that you have a backup of all your dashboards. There are many different software tools that can be used to back up dashboards.
Some of these tools allow you to save backups in the cloud, while others allow you to save them on a local drive. By using one of these tools, you’ll be able to make sure that your dashboards are always safe.
Mistake #7: Not monitoring dashboard usage
Just as important as creating and sharing dashboards is monitoring how they’re being used.
This is because dashboards can be misused. If you don’t monitor how dashboards are being used, you could end up inadvertently sharing sensitive information.
For example, imagine having a dashboard containing information about your company’s financial performance. If this dashboard were to be shared with a competitor, they could use the information to gain a competitive advantage.
To avoid this, it’s important to monitor how dashboards are being used. There are many different software tools that can be used to do this.
Some of these tools allow you to track who is accessing dashboards, while others allow you to see how dashboards are being used. By using one of these tools, you’ll be able to make sure that your dashboards are being used appropriately.
The bottom line
Now that you know the seven most common mistakes in BI dashboard sharing, you are ready to share without worry. From adhering to best practices to backing up dashboard data, avoid the pitfalls of sharing gone wrong.