Viewing this Tutorial Use the ‘Down’ arrow on your keyboard, or left click your mouse, to move to the next point. Use the ‘Up’ arrow to go back. Use the ‘Esc’ button in the top left hand corner of your keyboard to return to the program at any time. An Overview The Dashboard Overview This Quick Tutorial provides guidance on:  the purpose of the Dashboard;  how the Dashboard is structured;  how key objectives are defined;  how performance is assessed;  the basis of action management;  the main software features of the Dashboard. What does Dashboard do? The Dashboard converts the Balanced Scorecard management principles, as used by many large organisations across the world, into a simple tool to help Social Enterprises, Small Voluntary Organisations or Social Firm manage and improve their performance. It does this by providing a template of typical key objectives which can be altered to suit the circumstances of your firm. It also provides typical measures for each objective which can be edited and which then allow you to set targets to improve your current performance supported by an appropriate action plan. Over time the Dashboard enables you to record how you are doing against your targets and your action plan. The software provides a range of time saving features to produce outputs for communication purposes, resources and information on effective management practice. Comprehensive Objectives To provide a comprehensive framework the Dashboard sets out key objectives under 6 perspectives which may differ for different types of firm: • • • • • • Financial; Governance; Customers or External Stakeholders; Performance or Environmental; People and Work Life Balance; Marketing and Communications; The software enables you to detail 8 objectives for each perspective. Your Key Objectives Dashboard provides typical objectives for each perspective in a template that you can edit to suit the circumstances of your firm. Objective Details For each objective Dashboard enables you to note appropriate measures and current baseline performance. You use the drop down boxes to select the perspective and key objective required. You can edit the measures for typical objectives, as appropriate, and enter your current baseline performance. If you make an error you can revert to the previous text by using the Undo button whilst you are on this screen only Targets Against the details for each objective Dashboard enables you to set ‘traffic light’ targets and other detail, including responsibility. You can enter your acceptable (green), nearly acceptable (amber) and unacceptable (red) ‘traffic light’ target details, associated responsibility and select the year end and the review frequency. Performance against Target Against your targets the Dashboard enables you to record performance every quarter, or any other defined period, on a ‘traffic light’ basis. Every quarter, or as modified in the software, you can record your performance against the targets set with comment. You can also access the action planning feature. Performance Summary Dashboard provides a visual summary of performance over the last four periods that can be printed out. A fully detailed performance report can also be printed out. Action Points The action planning feature, which is accessed from the performance screen, allows you to set up to five action points for each key objective. The detail of these action points is used to produce a range of action plans which can be selected and printed at the click of a mouse. Overall plans, plans by perspective, responsibility or designated mini plans are all options. Each plan sets out the details for the action points relevant to the selection. Management Information Dashboard also provides a framework for a Management Information Library which is an MS Excel file. The framework enables key performance measures to be recorded at regular intervals but the information is not transferred to the main Dashboard program. Trends in this information will be automatically displayed. The library of information is shown by the tabs. The formulae for calculating the information for cells in the framework can be accessed by right clicking the box for the comment feature. Additional Features In addition to these core features, Dashboard provides a range of features to support performance management and the efficient use of the software. • The detailed performance report on your key objectives and the range of action plans drawn from the action points. • The ability to save many Dashboard files. • The ability to link the software to a server to save Dashboard files and reports or access your management information system. • Resource files from third sector support organisations and information on effective management practice. • Help through Quick Tutorials, User Guide and traditional help files. Use the Help features to fully understand Dashboard and its features.