Hi All,

I prefer bullet graphs instead of speedo's (as I see more commonly used) as they are more informative, easier to setup and take up less space on a dashboard.

 

One fantastic enhancement I use is to add a coloured RAG status to the value bar.  Not only can this clearly give a message on performance v target/budget at first glance, it can be used to add another performance report dimension.  This is critical management information to help identify whether performance is on track, especially if the full year target is not flatlined across the 12 months. for example:

 

1.Value bar v Qualitative Bands = Full Year Target/Budget

2.RAG status on Value bar = Year to date Progress (Red under YTD, Amber = On or above YTD but below full year target, Green = full year achieved) 

 

To achieve this, you need three series for the value (Red, Amber Green), with simple if statement for each following the above logic in order to place the actual value into the appropriate series, for example:

 

For ease we will assume "FY target" = £12k, Monthly target = £1k, "Achieved" = £7k, period = month 6 therefore "YTD target" = £6k:

RED = if("Achieved"<"YTD target","Achieved",0)

Amber = if(and("Achieved">="YTD target","Achieved"<"FY target"),"Achieved",0)

Green = if("Achieved">="FY target","Achieved",0)

 

Based on the above assumptions, performance is ahead of YTD target and FY target has yet to be achieved, so the value bar will be coloured Amber showing performance is on track for the full year. 

 

In addition to the if statements, each value series on the graph will need to be formatted appropriately (stacked columns, colour fills & hide zero numbers if labels have been added).

 

This is really easy to setup and provides management with the all the information they need eliminating questions/statements such as "I can see we are under target for the year, we would expect that in month 6, but this report doesn't tell me if we are on track.  Where are we YTD?"

 

Hope this helps

 

Steve