Dashboards are one of the most useful features in Microsoft Dynamics 365. They give users a quick way to see important CRM information without searching through individual records, running reports, or digging through multiple views.
However, simply having dashboards doesn't mean they're useful. Over time, dashboards can become cluttered with charts no one looks at, metrics that no longer matter, or information that doesn't help users. So, the real question is: do your dashboards actually show the right information?
Start with Who Is Using the Dashboard
There isn't one perfect Dynamics 365 dashboard for everyone. A salesperson, sales manager, customer service representative, and company executive all work with the same CRM data, but they need that information for very different reasons.
Therefore, before adding a chart or metric, think about who will use the dashboard and what they need from it. A dashboard becomes valuable when it is designed around the user's role rather than simply displaying all the information available in the CRM.
Focus on Information That Drives Action
A dashboard shouldn't just tell users what has already happened. It should help them understand what needs their attention next. Let’s think about a salesperson's role. They open Dynamics 365 and see that they have 35 open opportunities. That's useful information, but what should they do with it?
We can elevate their dashboard by including charts that identify opportunities that haven't had activity in the past 30 days, leads that haven't been contacted, and opportunities expected to close this month. That information provides guidance.
Don't Overload Your Dashboards
More information isn't always better. It's tempting to fill every available space on a Dynamics 365 dashboard with charts, lists, and metrics. However, that can result in a dashboard that contains a lot of information but makes important information hard to find.
Instead, prioritize the information users need most frequently. A simple dashboard with a few meaningful components can often be more useful than one displaying every possible metric.
Make Sure the Data Behind Is Reliable
A dashboard is only as useful as the data behind it. If opportunities aren’t being updated, activities aren’t being tracked, or records contain incomplete information, your dashboard won’t provide an accurate picture of what’s happening in your business. Keeping your CRM data accurate and up to date helps your dashboards provide information your team can rely on.
Different Teams May Need Different Dashboards
Trying to build one dashboard that works for everyone can quickly lead to information overload. Instead, consider creating dashboards around specific roles or business needs.
Your sales team may need a dashboard focused on pipeline and follow-up, while leadership may need a higher-level view of sales performance and trends. Customer service teams may care more about open cases, response times, and workload. Therefore, giving each role their own dashboard helps everyone prioritize what matters to them rather than forcing everyone to work from the same set of metrics.
Review Your Dashboards Regularly
Your business changes, and your dashboards should change with it. A metric that was once important may not be nearly as useful two years later. New processes, services, sales strategies, and reporting requirements can all change what your team needs to see.
It helps if you check in with your team and ask:
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- Do you use this dashboard?
- Which information do you look at most?
- What do you wish you could see?
- Is anything displayed here no longer useful?
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Those conversations can uncover opportunities to simplify dashboards and make Dynamics 365 more useful in your team's everyday work.
Make Your Dynamics 365 Dashboards Work for You
A good dashboard isn't defined by how many charts it contains. It's defined by how it helps someone understand what's happening and determine what to do next. If your Dynamics 365 dashboards have become cluttered, outdated, or ignored altogether, it may be time to revisit what you're measuring and why.
Not sure where to start? TopLine can help you identify and build dashboards that support your team. Call 1-880-800-1960 or email info@toplineresults.com to get started.