Strategic dashboards: designing and deploying them to improve implementation

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.