How to manage KPIs using BSC Designer’s functions (Part 2)
This is the second part of the article “How to manage categories and KPIs using BSC Designer’s functions”. The beginning might be found here.
The following part will describe how to:
- Add new measure units into the indicators’ value parameter;
- Fill up the project with additional information about every category and indicator;
- Use file’s attachment function;
- Find elements in the project’s tree.
Adding new measure units
In the article “How to manage indicators and performance values with BSC Designer” KPIs values were mentioned. Also the difference of Score and Percentage value units were described using examples. Default BSC Designer’s settings allow to use only those two values’ measure units but what if the KPI cannot be measured neither by score nor by percents? “Cash flow” KPI in “Financial perspective” category could be a good example. It is much more convenient to use USD as a measure unit for this indicator.
In order to add new measure units open “File” menu on top and select “Properties”. Then choose the tab “Measure Units” and click on “Add” button. A new measure unit called “New” has been created. Erase the text “New” and type “USD” or whatever unit is needed instead. After that click on “Apply” button to save changes and click on “OK” button to close dialog window. Create the new indicator using the way described in this article. Now go to the new indicator’s properties bottom dialog field and change the “Measure” option, selecting “USD” sign instead of “Score”. After that set maximum amount by typing for example “3000” in “Max” field and set “Min” field as “-1000”. Let the “Value” be “1500”. Well done! The new measure unit had been added and is already in use in one of KPIs.
File -> Properties
Adding new measure unit named USD
Selecting “USD” as measure unit for the new KPI
Descriptions
To continue filling up the project indicators’ and categories’ descriptions are to be added. Descriptions’ fields are located in bottom properties fields of each tree element. Describing categories and indicators might help all the managers and specialists understand the purposes of it and find out the most perspective way to execute task. It also plays a role of database in BSC project.
In order to add description select any category or indicator and find the “Description” field and the “Target Description” field (for indicators only). Type the information in the fields and click anywhere on the tree dialog to apply changes.
Adding description
Files’ Attachment
Sometimes it is not enough to write descriptions. More complex data like charts, long text files, multimedia files (images, sounds, videos) could be needed to be linked with any indicator or category. That is why BSC Designer has a files’ attachment function. Using this function any specific documents like orders, multiplex charts and schemes could be added as well as video and audio instructions and descriptions to any category or indicator. Also a great advantage could be gained of multiple-edition web documents usage (for example Google Documents service). The attached file could locate on local hard disc or in the internet.
In order to add attachments select any category or indicator. Then right click on it and select “Edit attachment list” in pop-up menu or click on “Initiatives” button on the bottom dialog field. Now click on “Add File” button to attach a file from the local computer or click on “Add Link” button to attach any file in the Internet. Then double click on the selected file will open it using the software installed on the user’s computer. Pay attention not to delete the files! BSC Designer creates links to the files making it available to open files directly from BSC project but it does not save the files somehow!
“Initiatives” button
“Attachment” field
“Find” function
BSC project might grow up to a huge tree and it could be useful to find whatever indicator or category is needed in a short time. The best way to find the element is to use “Find” function that is realized in BSC Designer. Just few letters of any word used in the name of sought-for element might help to find it.
Let’s use this function to find “Number of products manufactured monthly” KPI. Click on “Edit” button in the top menu and select “Find …” sign. Now enter of the unique words or part of it. Let it be “manu” – the part of “manufactured” word press “OK”. Congratulations! BSC Designer’s just found the needed KPI.
Edit -> Find …
“Find” function dialog field
