Pros and Cons of Using Executive Dashboards in Construction Software

Construction Management Software systems areDashboards in most Enterprise systems with the
typically designed for Enterprise configurations, whichproper interfaces and data feeds established.
usually include Executive Dashboard modules gearedConstruction companies certainly benefit from mapping
for quick views of every facet of the business;their business processes and methodologies to reflect
generally in real-time data.the synergistic relationships between all segments of
Executives of large companies and corporations dothe business, and marrying that to the Construction
not want to be bogged down with a lot of confusingManagement software functionality.
details, so Executive Dashboards most often includeExecutive Dashboards are surely important pieces of
the primary business indicators; either specificallyany Enterprise system, and, as such, are often
designed for the business, or from preset moduleintegrated into Construction Management Software
component preferences built into the software.packages. Just because some Construction
For example, executives at very top levels might needcompanies dig in the dirt does not mean they should
to see only the rolled up Profit and Loss indicators;not have a clear and clean overview of their business
sales reports; yearly or monthly comparisons, andoperations. Executive Dashboards can provide that
perhaps current market data; maybe even some ofoverview in real-time, if properly setup and connected.
the competition's position; and other things pertinent toIn addition, there are a number of third-party Executive
steering the company toward maximum growth andDashboard software solutions available that are
efficiency.designed to interface with the more commonly used
Executives at lower levels might need to see wherebusiness software packages. These add-on modules
the rolled up P&L data is coming from, such ascan often be seamlessly integrated into existing
which business units or construction projects aresoftware tools.
impacting those particular indicators. These executivesOf course, it is important to remember the importance
might also want to know how some of their directof accurate data, with any software system. The
reports are managing their responsibilities, thus theyadage "garbage in - garbage out" is so very true when
might opt for being able to view data for eachit comes to relying on information to make important
segment within their jurisdiction, in order to interjectbusiness decisions. Not many executives would
proactive motivation or assistance when it is mostappreciate learning the data they were using was
important.fictitious or otherwise not real. Such dilemmas can ruin
Other executives might want still another set ofcompanies rather quickly.
indicators. Clearly, each business model and eachEvery member of any business team must always
business unit will dictate just which indicators make theensure accurate, timely data input to Enterprise
most sense for each sector of the business at hand.systems. After all; the data, as they say, "is only as
Many forms of data are available through Executivegood as the one who inputs it.