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Dashboards

The Dashboards feature provides business users with access to pre-built visualisations and interactive reports built on the CryspIQ® Enterprise Data Model.

Dashboards help users quickly understand business performance, monitor key metrics and identify trends without needing to build reports or write queries.

While dashboards are available within CryspIQ®, they are considered an optional consumption layer rather than the core capability of the platform.

The primary purpose of CryspIQ® is to deliver trusted, governed enterprise data. Dashboards simply provide one way of consuming that information.

Overview​

Many organisations struggle with reporting because:

  • Data is spread across multiple systems
  • KPI definitions differ between teams
  • Reports require manual preparation
  • Users cannot easily access trusted information

CryspIQ® solves this by establishing a governed Enterprise Data Model.

Dashboards sit on top of this trusted foundation.

Source Systems
      ↓
Push
      ↓
Prepare
      ↓
Load
      ↓
CryspIQ® Enterprise Data Model
      ↓
Dashboards
      ↓
Business Insights

This ensures dashboard users are viewing consistent and trusted information.

Why Use Dashboards?​

Dashboards provide a visual way to explore information.

Benefits include:

  • Faster decision-making
  • Consistent KPI reporting
  • Interactive filtering
  • Trend analysis
  • Executive reporting
  • Operational monitoring

Users can focus on understanding the business rather than preparing data.

Dashboard Home Screen​

The Dashboard screen provides access to available dashboards.

Examples may include:

Executive Dashboard
Financial Performance
Operational Performance
Customer Analytics
Asset Performance
Data Quality Dashboard
Workforce Analytics

Available dashboards vary depending on:

  • Organisation requirements
  • Security permissions
  • Licensed functionality

Using a Dashboard​

Step 1 – Select a Dashboard​

Navigate to:

Consume → Dashboards

Select the dashboard you wish to view.

Examples:

Executive Dashboard
Financial Performance
Operations Dashboard

Step 2 – Review Key Metrics​

Most dashboards present summary information such as:

  • Revenue
  • Costs
  • Profitability
  • Productivity
  • Asset Utilisation
  • Customer Metrics
  • Workforce Metrics

These provide an immediate overview of business performance.

Step 3 – Filter Results​

Most dashboards provide filtering options.

Common filters include:

  • Date Range
  • Business Function
  • Region
  • Product
  • Customer
  • Department

Filtering allows users to focus on specific areas of interest.

Step 4 – Drill Through​

Many dashboards support drill-through functionality.

Example:

Revenue
      ↓
Region
      ↓
Customer
      ↓
Transaction

This enables users to investigate underlying drivers behind reported results.

Interactive Analysis​

Dashboards are designed to support exploration.

Users can:

  • Select charts
  • Filter results
  • Compare periods
  • Investigate trends
  • Analyse performance

This allows users to answer questions without requiring technical support.

Security and Data Access​

CryspIQ® automatically applies enterprise security rules.

Dashboard users only see information they are authorised to access.

Access is controlled through:

  • Microsoft Entra Security Groups
  • CryspIQ® Security Policies
  • Business Object Security
  • Contextual Security

Important​

If data does not appear within a dashboard:

  • Access may not have been granted.
  • Security rules may restrict visibility.
  • The data may not exist within the authorised scope.

Trusted Data Foundation​

One of the key benefits of CryspIQ® dashboards is that they operate from a governed Enterprise Data Model.

This means:

  • KPI definitions are standardised
  • Business logic is consistent
  • Data quality is monitored
  • Context is applied consistently

As a result, dashboards become more reliable and trustworthy.

Dashboards vs Questions​

CryspIQ® provides multiple ways to consume information.

Dashboards​

Best for:

  • Monitoring KPIs
  • Executive reporting
  • Operational visibility
  • Standard reporting

Example:

Monthly Revenue Dashboard

Questions​

Best for:

  • Ad hoc analysis
  • Business questions
  • Exploration
  • Investigation

Example:

Which customers generated the most revenue last quarter?

Both approaches use the same trusted Enterprise Data Model.

Dashboards vs Query Library​

Dashboards​

Provide:

  • Visual insights
  • Charts
  • KPI summaries
  • Interactive filtering

Query Library​

Provides:

  • Detailed datasets
  • Tabular outputs
  • Reusable queries
  • Data exports

Users often move between dashboards and queries depending on their requirements.

Common Use Cases​

Executive Reporting​

Monitor:

  • Revenue
  • Profitability
  • Strategic KPIs

Operational Management​

Monitor:

  • Production metrics
  • Service performance
  • Operational efficiency

Workforce Analytics​

Monitor:

  • Headcount
  • Turnover
  • Workforce trends

Data Governance​

Monitor:

  • Data quality
  • Steward performance
  • Governance metrics

Best Practices​

Start with Dashboards​

If you need a quick overview of performance, dashboards are usually the best place to start.

Use Questions for Investigation​

If a dashboard raises questions, use the Questions feature to investigate further.

Use Query Library for Detailed Analysis​

If detailed data extracts are required, use the Query Library.

Verify Security Access​

If expected information is missing:

  1. Review your access permissions.
  2. Check the Enterprise Data Glossary.
  3. Contact your Data Steward if required.

Common Questions​

Do I need reporting experience?​

No.

Dashboards are designed for business users and executives.

Can I create my own dashboards?​

Dashboard creation is typically performed by Data Administrators or BI developers.

Business users generally consume existing dashboards.

Why can't I see certain information?​

Security rules may restrict access.

Review the Enterprise Data Glossary or contact your Data Steward.

Are dashboards the primary way to use CryspIQ®?​

No.

Dashboards are an optional consumption layer.

The core capability of CryspIQ® is providing trusted, governed enterprise data that can be consumed through:

  • Questions
  • Query Library
  • Dashboards
  • Power BI
  • AI and Machine Learning
  • External Applications

Next Steps​

  1. Open a dashboard.
  2. Review key metrics.
  3. Apply filters.
  4. Drill into areas of interest.
  5. Use Questions for deeper investigation.
  6. Use Query Library for detailed analysis.

Dashboards provide a simple and visual way to explore trusted enterprise information while leveraging the governed data foundation created by CryspIQ®.