If you’ve ever stared at a dashboard stuffed with numbers and wondered, “So what?”—you’re not alone. Setting up Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in a tool like Getcompass should make life easier, not more confusing. This guide is for managers, analysts, and anyone who wants their dashboards to actually mean something, not just look impressive in a meeting.
Let’s get your KPIs out of spreadsheet purgatory and into a dashboard that works for you.
Step 1: Know Why You’re Tracking KPIs (And Don’t Overdo It)
Before you even open Getcompass, get clear on what matters. KPIs aren’t magic—they only help if you pick the right ones. Here’s how to avoid dashboard bloat:
- Identify your real goals. What actually drives your team or business forward? Revenue? User retention? On-time delivery? Be honest.
- Limit yourself. If you’re tracking 20+ KPIs, you’re tracking nothing. Aim for 3–7 that actually move the needle.
- Ignore vanity metrics. If a number looks good but doesn’t lead to action, skip it. (Looking at you, “website hits.”)
Pro tip: Ask yourself, “If this KPI goes up or down, do I change what I’m doing?” If not, cut it.
Step 2: Map Your KPIs to the Data You Actually Have
KPIs are only as good as the data behind them. Don’t pick a KPI and assume Getcompass just knows where to find it.
- List your data sources. CRMs, spreadsheets, databases—write them all down.
- Check data quality. If your sales team logs calls inconsistently, a “calls per rep” KPI won’t mean much.
- Decide on update frequency. Real-time? Daily? Weekly? Don’t set yourself up for panic over hourly blips if you only need weekly trends.
Beware of the “integration trap”—just because Getcompass connects to a tool doesn’t mean your data is clean or even useful. Garbage in, garbage out.
Step 3: Set Up Your Getcompass Dashboard
Now for the hands-on part: building your dashboard in Getcompass. Here’s how to get started without making a mess.
3.1 Create a New Dashboard
- Log in and hit “Create Dashboard.”
- Give it a name you’ll recognize in a month (not “Test 2” or “Main”).
- Add a brief description—future you will thank you.
3.2 Connect Your Data Sources
- Go to “Integrations.”
- Select the sources you listed earlier. Authenticate and follow prompts.
- Test the connection. If the data looks weird, stop and fix it now.
Don’t rush this—broken or mismatched data will haunt you later.
3.3 Add Your First KPI Widget
- Click “Add Widget” or “Add KPI,” depending on the interface updates (they change sometimes).
- Choose the type: Number, Gauge, Chart, etc. Pick what makes sense—no need for fancy visuals unless it helps tell the story.
- Map the widget to the right data field. Double-check you’re pulling the right metric.
3.4 Set Targets and Thresholds
- For each KPI, define what “good” looks like (target values).
- Add thresholds for warning or alert states (e.g., red if below 80%).
- If you don’t know your targets, make a rough guess and refine later. Don’t get stuck.
Pro tip: Don’t color everything red, yellow, and green just because you can. Too many alerts and you’ll tune them all out.
Step 4: Customize Views for Different Audiences
Not everyone needs the same KPIs. Tailor your dashboards so people see what matters to them.
- Executives: Keep it high-level. Revenue, growth, churn. No one cares about your SQL query count at the top.
- Managers: Show team performance, blockers, and trends.
- Operators: Get granular—dive into daily or hourly metrics if they actually need it.
In Getcompass, you can duplicate dashboards or set up filters/views per user or group. Use this instead of cramming everyone’s KPIs into one cluttered screen.
Step 5: Set Up Alerts and Notifications (But Don’t Overdo It)
A good KPI dashboard tells you when something’s off—without spamming your inbox.
- Enable alerts for only your most critical KPIs. If everything’s urgent, nothing is.
- Set reasonable thresholds. Don’t alert on every dip; look for meaningful changes.
- Choose your channel: Email, Slack, in-app. Pick what you’ll actually see (and not ignore).
Reality check: Most teams overestimate how often they’ll act on alerts. Start small and build up.
Step 6: Share and Review—But Make It Useful
A dashboard no one looks at is just digital wallpaper. Here’s how to keep it alive:
- Schedule reports. Set up weekly or monthly digests to land in your (or your team’s) inbox.
- Hold short reviews. 5-minute check-ins are better than a 30-slide KPI parade.
- Ask, “So what?” Every time you look at a KPI, ask what you’ll do if it’s off. If the answer is “nothing,” reconsider if you need it.
What Works (And What Doesn’t)
What Works
- Fewer, better KPIs. Focus wins every time.
- Real, actionable targets. Don’t fudge the numbers to look good.
- Regular (but not obsessive) review. Set it and forget it never works.
What Doesn’t
- Tracking for tracking’s sake. If you can’t act on it, drop it.
- One-size-fits-all dashboards. Tailor views to your audience.
- Overcomplicating visuals. Simple charts beat fancy ones that confuse people.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Too many KPIs. More isn’t better—just more noise.
- Ignoring data quality. Bad data = bad decisions.
- Alert overload. You’ll quickly start ignoring them if everything’s “urgent.”
- Never updating. Your business changes. Your KPIs should, too.
Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
Setting up KPIs in Getcompass isn’t rocket science. Start with what matters, keep your dashboards lean, and don’t be afraid to tweak things as you go. Most importantly, your dashboard should help you make decisions—not just look pretty. If it’s not doing that, simplify until it does.
Remember: The best dashboards are the ones people use. Keep it real, keep it useful, and adjust as you learn.