--- title: 10 xCelsius 2008 Dashboard Best Practices [Checklist] description: Learn the top 10 Dashboard Best Practices for implementing xCelsius 2008 Dashboards developed by dash boarding experts with real world experience. image: https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-16561107-png/images/gdp_snapshot.png --- ![xCelsius 2008 Dashboard Best Practices](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-16561107-png/images/gdp_snapshot.png) # 10 xCelsius 2008 Dashboard Best Practices [Checklist] Table of Contents   ![Best Practice Demo Xcelsius Dashboard](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-16561107-png/images/gdp_snapshot.png?width=250&name=gdp_snapshot.png) ## xCelsius Dashboards Tips and Tricks   After several complex xCelsius executive dashboard end-to-end implementation projects, we have learned quite a few tips and tricks.  The Executive Dashboards we've been able to deliver are delivering [Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/5-kpi-design-best-practice-guidelines) and other important Performance Metrics to the C-Suite in clients all over the world.        ## xCelsius Best Practices   We thought we would share some of what we consider our Top 10 xCelsius [Dashboard Best Practices](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/xcelsius-dashboards-executive-reporting):   1. Get **test data** into your **Dashboard Designer** hand's early. 2. Before you start, ensure **all tools** are actually working! 3. Use the [**SAP Product Availability Matrix**](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-best-practices-greenfield-implementations), or **PAM**, available at [service.sap.com](https://websmp209.sap-ag.de/~SAPIDP/002006825000000234912001E) to determine what you will need from a software license perspective as well as compatibility and pre-requisite standpoint. 4. When in a typical **[SAP BW](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/understanding-sap-bw-in-5-minutes) [3.x-Crystal Reports-LiveOffice-xCelsius](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-bw-3.x-to-7.x-upgrade-service-productized-approach-proprietary-methodolgy)** environment, the toughest part is in the SAP BW environment. 5. Building **Cross-Tab Reports** in Crystal Reports can be a challenge. 6. Security settings must be correctly set for each tool, and the **BOE** or **Business Objects Enterprise** is your central hub.  Make sure you have skillsets on the team who can manage it. 7. When working remotely, you will not be able to do a table top sketch effectively-so build it and they will come, and revise, and revise and revise.  This is a good thing. 8. **LiveOffice** tends to forget it is linked and you will have to reset it often.  This indicates you have, among other issues, security issues somewhere in the tool chain. 9. It will take much longer than you expect to build a dashboard in a **real-time environment**, however, **real-time environments** are what are the most useful to the end user. 10. Even when it is 'obvious' how you use the [**dashboard**](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/5-kpi-design-best-practice-guidelines), extensive, highly documented, reuseable, end-user training is the only way you will assure success.  Success means users are actually using the dashboard 6 months after you finish the project!  ## Continuous Data Validation We've also found that many clients want us to periodically check the veracity of the data their xCelsius based Executive Dashboards are delivery.  That's why a bonus best practice is to have our team perform a monthly data verification and validation check on the data.   ## Want to know more.                                                 [![xCelsius Dashboard Best Practices](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118735/37ffebe1-04ee-41ca-97f0-bb48fccc8382.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118735/37ffebe1-04ee-41ca-97f0-bb48fccc8382)   **Bonus:**  11.  Dashboards tend to reveal issues with the ERP system and you will need to have other [SAP expertise](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/22-critical-lessons-learned-for-conducting-pre-sales-demos) available, i.e., LIS experts, WM, FI/CO, etc., to make those adjustments to the core ERP system.    *We would also like to hear your comments and some of your Best Practices.  Please comment or link to us!*   ***People Who Read This Also Read:*** - [Top 10 Tips & Tricks for xCelsius Dashboard Development](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/xcelsius-dashboard-development-tips-tricks) - [10 Ways to Create xCelsius Based Dashboards for External Entities](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/10-ways-to-create-xcelsius-dashboards-for-external-entities) - [Dashboards vs Aircraft Cockpits](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/dashboards-vs-aircraft-cockpits) - [10 SAP BW Project Estimation Best Practices to Roll-Out Today](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/10-sap-bw-project-estimation-best-practices-to-roll-out-today) - [10 Advanced SAP BW Project Estimation Techniques](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/10-advanced-sap-bw-project-estimation-techniques) - Take a [Deeper Dive](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/deep-dive-into-aircraft-cockpits-vs-dashboards) into Aircraft Cockpits Vs Dashboards     Topics from this blog: [Best Practices](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/best-practices) [xCelsius](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/xcelsius) [Dashboards](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/dashboards) ### Download SAP BW Mindmap Learn what SAP Business Warehouse is and what it does in under five minutes [![Get this Mindmap](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118735/8db2ad37-8211-47a3-86ae-09b6b2bb297b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118735/8db2ad37-8211-47a3-86ae-09b6b2bb297b) [mailto:someone@yoursite.com](mailto:someone@yoursite.com) ### Lonnie D. Ayers, PMP About the Author: Lonnie Ayers is a Hubspot Certified Inbound Marketing consultant, with additional certifications in Hubspot Content Optimization, Hubspot Contextual Marketing, and is a Hubspot Certified Partner. Specialized in demand generation and sales execution, especially in the SAP, Oracle and Microsoft Partner space, he has unique insight into the tough challenges Service Providers face with generating leads and closing sales using the latest digital tools. With 15 years of SAP Program Management experience, and dozens of complex sales engagements under his belt, he helps partners develop and communicate their unique sales proposition. Frequently sought as a public speaker in various events, he is available for both inhouse engagements and ** remote coaching. ** ![Balanced Scorecard Consultant](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Balanced%20Scorecard%20Certified%20Graduate.jpg) He also recently released a book **"How to Dominate Any Market - Turbocharging Your Digital Marketing and Sales Results",** which is available on [ Amazon.](https://www.amazon.com/Dominate-Turbocharging-Digital-Marketing-Results/dp/1728357950/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1589182458&refinements=p_27%3ALonnie+D.+Ayers&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Lonnie+D.+Ayers)**** [View All Articles by Lonnie D. Ayers, PMP](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/author/lonnie-d-ayers-pmp) ## The SAP Blog Subscribe to our blog and receive SAP BW Updates, demand generation, inbound marketing, sales enablement, technology and revenue generation insights and ideas delivered right to your email. [mailto:someone@yoursite.com](mailto:someone@yoursite.com) ![SAP](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/960101754/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0) ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=199270410761059&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/10-xcelsius-2008-dashboard-best-practices#blogposting", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@id" : "/#", "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lonnie D. 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