--- title: Executive Dashboards 60,000 Times Faster to Interpret [Guidebook] description: Graphics in SAP BOBJ Dashboards are interpreted up to 60,000 times faster than just standard BW numeric reports and we can help you build yours image: https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-16537294-jpg/images/airspeed_indicator.jpg --- ![Airspeed Indicator](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-16537294-jpg/images/airspeed_indicator.jpg) # Executive Dashboards 60,000 Times Faster to Interpret [Guidebook] Table of Contents ## Where 'Don't Make Me Think Comes From'    Which of these two methods of [displaying data](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/enterprise-reporting-strategy-development) is 60,000 times faster than the other:   **Method 1** ![Dashboard Airspeed Gauge](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-16537294-jpg/images/airspeed_indicator.jpg)    **Method 2.**   ## The speed you are going is **173 MPH** _________________________________________________________________________________ Although both methods convey the same information, 3M Corporation has performed studies that indicate that the human mind can process and [interpret](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/xcelsius-dashboards-executive-reporting) the graphical display of information delivered by the airspeed gauge [60,000 times faster](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-leverage-sap-bw-in-a-multi-channel-marketing-campaign) than the same [information](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/70-of-business-intelligence-projects-are-failing-worldwide) presented in the second method above.   In method 1, not only can you tell at a glance how fast you are going, you can also tell [how fast you](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/developing-balanced-scorecards) are going in two different [measurement units](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/business-ratio-kpi-formulas-financial-formulas), in this case, Miles Per Hour and Knots.    Because the gauge incorporates color, you also know you are going too fast with regards to the aircraft's speed limitations and how much you must adjust your speed in order to bring the airspeed within allowable limits.    ## Feedback Loops Are Critical In short, you have a [feedback loop](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/unleashing-business-success-balanced-scorecard-strategy) already [designed](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/pillar-content-strategy-guide-seo-serp) into the use of the gauge.  In method two, you have no idea how fast you need to be going.   Now let's take a look at a [dashboard](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-improve-sap-profitability-management-p2-the-ultimate-guide), using both gauges, [interactivity](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hubspot-roi-calculator),  alerts, and various types of graphs.   ![Interactive Executive Dashboard](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-16556495-png/images/enterprise_risk.png?width=640&name=enterprise_risk.png) What jumps out at you here: ## Ten Key Takeaways   - Graphical displays **attract your attention** - **Colors** can tell you as much about your situation as [raw numbers](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/reporting-skills) - The [dashboard](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/12-warning-signs-your-epm-system-is-in-trouble) has to be **[engineered](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/improve-dashboard-user-interfaces/)** to trigger follow-up actions - [Feedback loops](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/xcelsius-dashboards-executive-reporting) need to be incorporated into the overall [systems design](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/executive-dashboards-60-000-times-faster-to-interpret) that the [dashboard](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/business-reporting-requirements) is part of. - Unless **[specifically designed  for it](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-bobj-executive-dashboards/)**, dashboards do not provide the ability to ‘explore’ the environment the same way a [datawarehouse](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-build-a-sap-sem-bps-retail-industry-value-case) can. - The designers of any dashboard must have deep knowledge of the [business processes](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/executive-dashboards-60-000-times-faster-to-interpret) being monitored and their relevant [Performance Metrics](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-improve-sap-profitability-management-the-ultimate-guide) and [Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/5-kpi-design-best-practice-guidelines). - The designers of the dashboard must design the dashboard to take full advantage of the human capacity to process visual information **60,000 times faster** than purely textual information. - Profound system knowledge is required to leverage and synthesize fully the [SAP Business Process Platform](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-translate-sap-modules-into-business-process-capabilities).   As experts in designing, developing and delivering highly interactive [executive dashboards](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/14-sap-business-planning-best-practices) that users love and use daily, we've come up with a lot of [Best Practices](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-determine-your-fully-loaded-cost-rate) we wanted to share with you.  Just click on the link for these and many other critical [Dashboard Best Practices](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/xcelsius-2008-dashboard-best-practices/). Or press the button. [![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)   *Your comments, links and suggestions are always welcome.*   ***People who read this also read:*** - [10 Ways to Create Xcelsius Dashboards for External Entities](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/10-ways-to-create-xcelsius-dashboards-for-external-entities) - [3 Keys to Effective Dashboard Design](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/3-keys-to-effective-dashboard-design) - [9 SAP Webi Dashboard Software Testing Hacks of the Pros](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/9-sap-webi-dashboard-software-testing-hacks-of-the-pros) - [Build High Impact xCelsius Dashboards](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/build-high-impact-xcelsius-dashboards) - [A Field Report on a Recent SAP BOBJ Webi Dashboard Project](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/a-field-report-on-a-recent-sap-bobj-webi-dashboard-project)     Thanks   Topics from this blog: [Best Practices](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/best-practices) [BW](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/bw) [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/executive-dashboards-60-000-times-faster-to-interpret#blogposting", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "about" : [ { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "SAP", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAP_SE" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Dashboards", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashboard_(business)" } ], "author" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/about-lonnie-ayers#person" }, "description" : "Learn how visual executive dashboards, built on SAP and modern BI platforms, enable leaders to interpret information far faster than traditional tabular reports.", "headline" : "Executive Dashboards 60,000 Times Faster to Interpret", "inLanguage" : "en", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/executive-dashboards-60-000-times-faster-to-interpret" }, "mentions" : [ { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "data", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "speed", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "information", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Corporation", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporation" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "studies", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "graphical display", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infographic" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "airspeed gauge", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airspeed_indicator" } ], "name" : "Executive Dashboards 60,000 Times Faster to Interpret", "potentialAction" : [ { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/executive-dashboards-60-000-times-faster-to-interpret#actionBestPractices" } ], "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#organization" }, "url" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/executive-dashboards-60-000-times-faster-to-interpret" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "name" : "SAP BW Consulting, Inc.", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#organization" }, "url" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#logo" }, "name" : "SAP BW Consulting, Inc.", "url" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#logo", "@type" : "ImageObject", "caption" : "SAP BW Consulting, Inc. logo", "url" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hubfs/logo.png" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/about-lonnie-ayers#person", "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lonnie D. 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