Archive for the 'Business Intelligence' Category
Tech Tip: How to Setup a Separate Log for Object Migrations
By 
Having a seperate log for object migrations in MicroStrategy can be helpful when you want to see exactly what was done and moved during a specific migration. The following are steps needed to ensure you capture the migration in a separate log instead of in the DSS Error log, where it can get lost, mixed [...]
Involve Others – Survival Tip #10
Strength in numbers is a key survival strategy in Business Intelligence. BI Architects should work hand-in-hand with graphic designers, end-users and business leaders to create an actionable and insightful dashboard. This is something we firmly believe in here at Lancet. Our Dashboard Design Specialists often team up with our experience BI Architects to create visually [...]
Diagram Wisely – Survival Tip #9
Are visualizations used appropriately? Could another approach better present the information? Is there a clear and compelling rationale for each visualization choice? Selecting the right visual to display a data set can be tricky, as it significantly impacts how readily users can absorb the information at hand. If in doubt, mock up your data in [...]
Keep it Simple – Survival Tip #8
Is the information the most prominent part of the design? Do colors and visuals overpower or support the intake of information? Can any design elements be removed without impacting overall focus? Powerful dashboards incorporate great design. However, great design should be subtle. Your color, image and layout choices should support the user’s goals, not distract [...]
Arrange Data Logically – Survival Tip #7
Can users find Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) right away? Is there a planned sequence to the flow of information? Are like elements designed consistently and grouped together? Studies prove that we approach information in a familiar pattern, moving left to right and top to bottom. For dashboard designers, that means the upper left corner should [...]
The Power of One – Survival Tip #6
Does critical information fit easily on one screen? Can users view the entire picture without scrolling? What information can be relocated to a drill-down category? When we do the math on successful dashboards, it all adds up to one: one dashboard that fits on one screen with just one focus on each tab. Work with [...]
Maximize Space – Survival Tip #5
With the fifth survival tip, we are now halfway through the series. I hope it’s been educational. I truly believe these tactics will help you in your dashboard design approach. They are common sense techniques and when they are used together, can create a powerful and effective business tool. The fifth survival tip involves you [...]
Empower Decisions – Survival Tip #4
The first few survival tips I covered were geared more towards the aesthetics and layout of the dashboard. You must remember that the data is the most important part of a dashboard. It needed to be actionable, relevant and empower users. Ask yourself: Can users of all levels find information quickly and intuitively? Are menu [...]
Tech Tip: Disappearing Metrics From a MicroStrategy Dashboard
The Problem: Customer reported that a dashboard I built several months back was suddenly missing metrics. The dashboard in question is a very large MicroStrategy report with quite a few metrics identified by the business team. I have not made any modifications to the reports/dashboard in months so I was curious why the metrics would [...]
BI Platform Administration: Whose Job Is It?
Our recent platform administration survey showed there’s no single “right” way to tackle BI platform administration and day-to-day operations—but there are smart guidelines to keep everything running smoothly. Our respondents utilize one or more of the following resources, with the majority of organizations relying on in-house staff: In-house development team In-house MicroStrategy administrator Independent contractor [...]