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Viewing this Tutorial
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Use the ‘Esc’ button in the
top left hand corner of your
keyboard to return to the
program at any time.
An Overview
The Dashboard Overview
This Quick Tutorial provides guidance on:
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the purpose of the Dashboard;
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how the Dashboard is structured;
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how key objectives are defined;
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how performance is assessed;
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the basis of action management;
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the main software features of the Dashboard.
What does Dashboard do?
The Dashboard converts the Balanced Scorecard management
principles, as used by many large organisations across the world, into
a simple tool to help Social Enterprises, Small Voluntary Organisations
or Social Firm manage and improve their performance.
It does this by providing a template of typical key objectives which can
be altered to suit the circumstances of your firm.
It also provides typical measures for each objective which can be
edited and which then allow you to set targets to improve your current
performance supported by an appropriate action plan.
Over time the Dashboard enables you to record how you are doing
against your targets and your action plan.
The software provides a range of time saving features to produce
outputs for communication purposes, resources and information on
effective management practice.
Comprehensive Objectives
To provide a comprehensive framework the Dashboard sets out key
objectives under 6 perspectives which may differ for different types of
firm:
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Financial;
Governance;
Customers or External Stakeholders;
Performance or Environmental;
People and Work Life Balance;
Marketing and Communications;
The software enables you to detail 8 objectives for each perspective.
Your Key Objectives
Dashboard provides typical objectives for each perspective in a template
that you can edit to suit the circumstances of your firm.
Objective Details
For each objective Dashboard enables you to note appropriate measures and
current baseline performance.
You use the drop down boxes to select the perspective and key objective
required.
You can edit the measures for typical objectives, as appropriate, and enter
your current baseline performance.
If you make an error you can revert to the previous text by using the Undo
button whilst you are on this screen only
Targets
Against the details for each objective Dashboard enables you to set ‘traffic light’
targets and other detail, including responsibility.
You can enter your acceptable (green), nearly acceptable (amber) and
unacceptable (red) ‘traffic light’ target details, associated responsibility and select
the year end and the review frequency.
Performance against Target
Against your targets the Dashboard enables you to record performance every
quarter, or any other defined period, on a ‘traffic light’ basis.
Every quarter, or as modified in the software, you can record your performance
against the targets set with comment. You can also access the action planning
feature.
Performance Summary
Dashboard provides a visual summary of performance over the last four
periods that can be printed out.
A fully detailed performance report can also be printed out.
Action Points
The action planning feature, which is accessed from the performance screen,
allows you to set up to five action points for each key objective.
The detail of these action
points is used to produce a
range of action plans
which can be selected and
printed at the click of a
mouse.
Overall plans, plans by
perspective, responsibility
or designated mini plans
are all options.
Each plan sets out the
details for the action
points relevant to the
selection.
Management Information
Dashboard also provides a framework for a Management Information Library which
is an MS Excel file.
The framework enables key
performance measures to be
recorded at regular intervals but
the information is not transferred
to the main Dashboard program.
Trends in this information will
be automatically displayed.
The library of information is
shown by the tabs.
The formulae for calculating the
information for cells in the framework
can be accessed by right clicking the
box for the comment feature.
Additional Features
In addition to these core features, Dashboard provides a range of
features to support performance management and the efficient use of
the software.
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The detailed performance report on your key objectives and the range
of action plans drawn from the action points.
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The ability to save many Dashboard files.
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The ability to link the software to a server to save Dashboard files and
reports or access your management information system.
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Resource files from third sector support organisations and
information on effective management practice.
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Help through Quick Tutorials, User Guide and traditional help files.
Use the Help features to fully understand Dashboard and its features.