10 Tips to build a killer Reports & Dashboards

10 Tips to build a killer Reports & Dashboards

Create a report or a dashboard in SalesForce is fairly easy and self-explanatory (To learn more Click – Here)

However, to create a Killer report and dashboards is a different story. Here are 10 tips that will make you a star Salesforce Administrator –

1. What is it good for  – Get a clear understanding of the requirement; what the goal of the report is? What value it brings?

2. If I was the CEO… –Getting the job done is one thing, but delivering more than the expected is much better! Think like the person you a building the report/dashboard for; if you were the CEO/CFO what would keep you awake at night?

3. KISS –Yes, you MUST keep it simple! Remember, fancy complex reports and dashboards can be nice at first but no one will look at it in 3 weeks

4. Think What’s Next –We need data to help us make better decisions, always keep in mind what action items can be taken from the data… if the answer if little or none –start all over again.

5. Vision –Make sure the report/Dashboard is aligned with the company vision

6. Keep it up-to-date –set up a monthly reminder for you to review the data; Ask yourself or the person who asked for the report/dashboard –is it still relevant? What changes required?

7. Don’t forget the basic stuff –Often people create reports, and dashboards are focused on the data, which is good. But don’t forget the basics –Report name, required fields, Schedule the report, dashboard layout etc. 

8. Data Validation –Remember, based on your report important decisions will take place! Make sure to double and triple check your data; Choose a handful piece of information and check them manually. Remember to make data validation as part of your ongoing process.

9.  Make it a big thing –once you are done, set up a quick overview session with the person who initiated the request, make sure they understand the report and it is what he/she had in mind. 
10. Ask a Rookie – It’s easy to master Salesforce.com reports and dashboard, and that is why it’s also very important to use someone who is not familiar with the data for his opinion; Just Try this –send the end result to someone from a different department and ask him to explain you what he sees. You will be amazed how many good ideas you will get, and things you might have missed.