Strategic dashboards: designing and deploying them to improve implementation
Abstract
Purpose
Dashboards and scorecards are widely‐deployed performance management tools, but are often ineffectively used. Properly designed, developed, and deployed strategic dashboards can cut through clutter, provide incisive strategic insight, improve decision‐making, and enhance both alignment and implementation performance. This article seeks to identify common pitfalls in strategic dashboard design and use, and then recommend guidelines for improving dashboard design, scope, use and impact.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on hands‐on development of dashboards and strategy implementation programs for hundreds of clients across multiple sectors; complemented by operating experience managing strategic implementation and dashboard/measurement systems for high‐growth, complex organizations.
Findings
Key steps include developing a process that prioritizes indicators, includes key stakeholders, incorporates management analysis and judgment, favors rich data display using a common visual and quantitative language, and systematizes consistent dashboard use and dissemination.
Practical implications
Careful attention to dashboard content, form, process, and politics will help leaders strategically manage performance. Properly designed, dashboards can effectively focus senior teams on strategic issues, and catalyze strategic action.
Originality/value
This perspective from a practitioner identifies pitfalls and guidelines for maximizing the value and reach of dashboards, gleaned from experience across multiple industries and sectors.
Keywords
Citation
Allio, M.K. (2012), "Strategic dashboards: designing and deploying them to improve implementation", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 40 No. 5, pp. 24-31. https://doi.org/10.1108/10878571211257159
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited