If you’re here, you probably wrangle sales quotas for a living, or at least have to justify your team’s numbers to someone who does. You know dashboards can be great—or a total mess. This guide is for folks who want their quota attainment dashboards in Qobra to actually help, not just look pretty for a QBR slide. Let’s get into what works, what doesn’t, and what you can safely ignore.
1. Start With the Real Goal: Who Needs What (and Why)?
Before you click a single button, get brutally clear on why you’re building this dashboard. It’s tempting to throw every metric in there, but here’s the thing: more data isn’t better, just noisier.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Who’s the dashboard for? (Individual reps? Managers? Execs?)
- What decisions will it help them make?
- Which numbers actually drive behavior—or get people paid?
Pro Tip:
Don’t try to make a “one-size-fits-all” dashboard. If you build for everyone, you help no one. Make focused dashboards for specific roles or meetings.
2. Keep Your Metrics Simple (and Trustworthy)
Too many dashboards die from metric overload or, worse, from numbers people don’t trust. In Qobra, you can show all kinds of data, but that doesn’t mean you should.
What to Include
- Quota attainment % (the main course)
- Actual vs. quota (monthly, quarterly, whatever matters)
- Payout or commission progress (if people get paid on it, they care)
- Key drivers (deal count, average deal size, win rate—pick 1-2, tops)
What to Ignore
- Vanity metrics (calls made, meetings set—unless you really track comp on these)
- “Nice to have” charts that nobody references in a real meeting
Reality check:
If you can’t explain what a number means or how it’s calculated, don’t put it on the dashboard. You’ll save yourself a lot of awkward questions.
3. Get Your Data Right—Or Don’t Bother
Nothing torpedoes dashboard adoption faster than bad data. You can’t fix this with fancy visuals. Qobra pulls from your CRM and other sources, so garbage in = garbage out.
Checklist for data hygiene:
- Make sure quotas are set up correctly (by team, role, time period)
- Double-check compensation rules match what’s in your dashboard
- Test with real data before rolling out—spot check a few reps against their actuals
Pro Tip:
If you’re not the CRM admin, buddy up with whoever is. You’ll need their help more than you think.
4. Build for Clarity, Not Flash
Qobra gives you a bunch of widgets and customization options. Don’t get carried away. People need to see what matters, fast.
Tips for clear dashboards:
- Put the most important number (quota attainment %) front and center
- Use consistent date ranges (don’t mix monthly and quarterly on the same view unless you have a good reason)
- Stick to a simple color scheme—red for “off target,” green for “on track,” and so on
- Label everything clearly, especially if your comp plans are complicated
What doesn’t work:
Stacking multiple filters or tabs just because you can. Most users will ignore them or get lost.
5. Make It Actionable
A dashboard should help someone do something—spot problems early, give a high five, or know when to chase a deal.
- Set up alerts for when someone is off pace (if Qobra supports it in your setup)
- Include trend lines or pacing visuals so reps know if they’re slipping, not just where they stand today
- Show “what’s left to win” in plain numbers (“$12k more to hit your Q2 quota” is more motivating than a vague bar)
Pro Tip:
Ask your team what would actually help them. If nobody looks at the dashboard after week one, you’re missing the mark.
6. Review and Iterate—Don’t “Set and Forget”
Sales comp plans change. People move teams. If you never update your dashboard, it’ll age fast.
- Schedule a quarterly review with the people who use the dashboard
- Remove anything nobody uses or understands
- Update quotas, teams, and payout structures as soon as they change
Reality check:
Don’t be precious about your dashboard design. If something’s not working, kill it or change it. Everyone will thank you.
7. Permissions and Access: Don’t Overcomplicate
Qobra lets you control who sees what. Use this, but don’t create a maze.
- Reps should see their own data (and maybe their team’s for context)
- Managers can see their whole team
- Execs get the bird’s-eye view
What to avoid:
Letting everyone see everything. It leads to confusion and, sometimes, drama.
8. Communicate—And Actually Train People
A dashboard is only useful if people know how to use it. Don’t assume they’ll figure it out.
- Do a quick walkthrough (record a video or hold a short session)
- Share a one-pager on “what’s here and how to read it”
- Make it easy for people to ask questions or report issues
Pro Tip:
Don’t hide from complaints. If someone says “this doesn’t match my pay stub,” dig in and fix it. Trust is everything.
9. Avoid Dashboard Bloat
It’s tempting to bolt on extra charts or pages over time, but resist. More is not better.
- Every new metric should earn its place (“Does this help someone make a decision or take action?”)
- If a chart hasn’t been used in the last quarter, cut it
- Keep navigation simple—no more than 3-4 main views
10. Watch Out for These Common Pitfalls
Here’s where most dashboards go off the rails:
- Out-of-date quotas or comp plans: Set calendar reminders to review regularly.
- Mismatched data sources: Make sure Qobra’s pulling from the right places.
- Overly complex payout logic: If your comp plan needs a PhD to understand, the dashboard won’t fix it.
- Trying to automate everything: Some things need a manual double-check—don’t skip it.
Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Keep It Honest
A quota attainment dashboard should make your life easier—not just give you something to show your boss. Start with what matters, keep it clean, and update it as things change. Don’t fall for the “more data is better” trap. If you’ve got a dashboard people actually use, you’re already ahead of most. Iterate, simplify, and focus on what helps your team win. That’s it.
Now go make something your sales team will actually thank you for.