KPI dashboard template: guide and Excel download

A KPI dashboard shows, in one view, whether the business is performing as planned. This template lists each indicator with owner, period, actual and target, calculates variance and status automatically and charts the trend over the last twelve months. The management summary brings together the indicators that need attention, so the meeting starts with what matters rather than with reading tables.

CEOs, COOs and leadership teams who need a short set of business KPIs. Each KPI has an owner who updates the value and explains the variance. Finance or operations usually makes sure the data arrives on time and with the same definition every month.

Update the dashboard once a month, right after the close, and use it in the monthly business review. Faster operational indicators can be checked weekly. Review the KPI list once or twice a year, or when the strategy changes.

1. 1.Choose between eight and fifteen indicators that explain how the business performs. A few useful KPIs beat many ignored ones.
2. 2.For each KPI, write the definition, the data source and the owner. Without an agreed definition, the same number changes meaning from month to month.
3. 3.Set the target for each period in the yellow cells. Variance and status are calculated automatically.
4. 4.Fill in the last twelve months of history so the chart shows the trend, not just the current month.
5. 5.Update actuals right after each close and ask each owner for one sentence on any material variance.
6. 6.Use the management summary to open the meeting with the indicators that are off target, and end with decisions and actions rather than commentary.