Setting up a management dashboard

When a company is created, a financial balance of which has been estimated. However, in the course of its existence, this balance is sometimes upset.

Setting up a management dashboard can be useful in anticipating developments in the financial situation of the company, control it and correct it if necessary.

A management dashboard must have a number key indicators which must be determined by reference to the activity of the company. They will then be used to highlight a number of objectives for the company.

The choice of indicators is free. It will vary according to the type of company and the planned development.

It exists 4 main categories of indicators which may be used:

• Economic indicators —to measure results and costs.
• Physical Indicators : to measure product quality, order processing, logistics, etc.
• Human Indicators : to measure employee performance
• Project Tracking Indicators : to measure project progress

Of the possible indicators, a number are: common most companies include

• Monthly or quarterly turnover by product family (economic indicator)
• Monthly or quarterly turnover per customer (economic indicator)
• Trade margin (economic indicator)
• Commercial, structural, personnel, subcontracting costs (economic indicator)
• Delivery times (physical indicator)
• Level of customer satisfaction (physical indicator)

To set up a management dashboard, it is possible to get help from a chartered accountant or an approved management organization.