KPI Trends For 2012 – Why We Should Expect Less

The iPhones and iPads came along and completely revolutionised what people expected of their technology. Interestingly their adoption has significantly reduced the capability of the devices that most people use (an iPad won’t do as much as a typical laptop) but it’s a compromise that most people are happy with. Put simply the designers have identified the key functions that people are looking for and the key responses (rapid intuitive interface, instant-on and low maintenance requirements). The trends in management information and KPIs are likely to mirror this.

• Easy consumption:   These consumer devices have had a rapid and profound effect on the expectations of people throughout organisations. The most obvious outcome is that many of my clients (all the way to the top) are now looking to consume dashboard and KPI information interactively on their iPads, iPhones, Android handsets and Blackberries.
• Intuitive querying of data:  People now (rightly) are saying “if I describe the question, surely the software should deliver the answer”. There’s less tolerance of having your questions filtered, implemented through and delayed by “experts” in a Management Information team. People expect to be able to drag-and-drop data sets to create real-time analysis. This has always been the promise of much BI software, but the reality was often limited and poorly implemented. Next-generation BI tools like QlickView and Tableau are set to become the new best friends of management information departments and exec’s alike.
• Clever Simplicity:  Creating the infrastructure for great management information is never going to be simple, but it can be easy to read and understand. There’s a new wave of intolerance amongst execs with poorly structured and cryptic reporting. This trend will only become stronger in 2012. There’s going to be more interest in human-friendly reporting, based on good psychology and research.
• Fun:  Interacting with your organisations data can (and should be) fun – allowing rapid discovery of real insight. The truth is that this this so far from reality that some of you may well be laughing when you read this. However, people are expecting their interactions with data to be at least less painful.

These expectations are being fueled by users experiences outside of the world of management information, but will have profound effects within that world. It’s about time too. Let’s hope that 2012 is the year where consumers of KPIs, reports and management information start to be really unreasonable!

About Bernie Smith, Guest Blogger

Bernie has helped his clients deliver surprising levels of improvement across a wide range of industries over the past 15 years. His mission is to help clients with a repeatable, practical and jargon-free method for generating insightful and clear KPIs and management reports. He understands that most people don’t get excited by KPIs, but believes it’s a curable condition. Check out his blog, “Made to measure KPIs“.