Dashboards
Possibly the simplest type of PM system, a dashboard or cockpit combines the company's numerous metrics, targets, and performance data into one online or printed document (such as a spreadsheet) that's prepared monthly, quarterly, or on some other schedule.
Here is an example of a dashboard:
A dashboard enables executives and managers to easily digest the company's aggregated performance data. In addition, many dashboards use a "traffic light" coding system to evaluate performance on each metric, enabling leaders to spot and address problems promptly.
For example, red indicates performance that's significantly below target; yellow, slightly below target; green, at or above target.
While dashboards have traditionally been used primarily by executives, many companies are now customizing their dashboards for managers at operational levels as well.
For instance, at an airline, a manager in charge of stocking meals on board may see a different dashboard than the manager who oversees fuel purchasing. But each manager's customized dashboard also shows which planes are flying where.