With the increased use of computers and automation in construction, data is captured across many business processes and can cover such areas as project opportunities, job estimates, actual job labor, equipment and material usage, on-hand inventory, accidents, and various job communications.

However, the overwhelming amount of available data makes it difficult to manage and extract tangible value.

One potential solution is a management dashboard tool that translates data and information into knowledge to improve the decision-making process. Through the use of data visualizations, dashboards provide at-a-glance awareness of current business performance, allowing contractors to better focus on critical activities rather than day-to-day operational issues.

This article will explore options for effective management dashboard setup and deployment as well as how to maximize the benefits of this tool.

Primary Drivers for Management Dashboards

Dashboards keep all department managers on the same page and display where critical facts can have the greatest impact. While they have many benefits, here are three of the most common business drivers.

Maximized Returns from Data Assets

Data has become one of the most valuable assets of a modern contractor. Putting this data to work, however, can often prove difficult. A dashboard system can provide better information across the organization and on-demand access to core business metrics, which enables contractors to make better use of the information at hand.

Improved Information Integration & Consolidation

Since dashboards can aggregate both internal and external data, the number of reports managers use can be significantly reduced. As a result, more time can be spent addressing critical issues. Streamlined integration can also occur at the management level: Since all managers are viewing business-critical data in a more unified fashion, this enables them to turn the company’s strategic objectives into tactical efforts.

Improved Communication

Management dashboards improve communication not only among the management team, but also with internal and external stakeholders. Dashboards could be used to communicate the company’s overall health to help keep employees engaged and focused on achieving common goals. Performance dashboards could also be shared with outside partners (e.g., clients and subcontractors) to update them on various activities. For example, project management and performance dashboards could be used to better communicate the status of key project metrics to external stakeholders.

Metrics, Solutions & Deployment

Most management dashboards have three common functions: displays, filters, and the ability to analyze data.