Business Intelligence Dashboard Design: KPI Reporting Portal through S.M-A.R.T Dashboard (S.M-A.R.T KPI)

Getting the latest basic and critical information that is needed in making effective decision for an organization or a project can be a complex and difficult activity. This is a project that aims to develop an online portal as a solution in designing effective dashboard on the KPIs for Digital Lifestyle Malaysia-Key Performance Indicator (DLM-KPI) project using business intelligence practice in promoting effective decision making. The portal can provide insights and intuitive ways of perceiving a group of data that represent the DLM-KPI elements. The scope of this project is based on five important KPI elements on DLM initiatives in Malaysia, with characteristic of the effective dashboard produced to be Simple, Measurable, Accurate, Reactive and Timely (S.M-A.R.T KPI dashboard). The project begins with the study on the DLM-KPI framework. A number of informal interviews and survey was conducted with a former strategic manager and professional dashboard designer from technological solution company, in identifying the needs and important elements needed in designing an effective dashboard as well as studying its effect in making effective decision. Pitfalls on the dashboard were also identified for preventive measure. A working prototype of the online SMART dashboard system was produced with an effective design and display of DLM-KPI elements as agreed between the users and developer. Then, a research was conducted in studying the effect of effective design dashboard in promoting effective decision making. Reporting dashboard effectiveness is measured by its ability to create situation awareness of the KPI performance, and the effective decision is measured by the ability of the user to make prompt and informed decision. A survey with ten strategic managers was conducted to prove this hypothesis.