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You have created the blueprint of your perfect dashboard, what now? You need to actually build it.
Businesses at every stage, from spreadsheet wranglers to enterprise-level juggernauts, struggle with visibility, consistency, and meaningful insight.
In our previous article, we discussed how to build the blueprint of your perfect dashboard, now you just need the right systems in place to help the data speak clearly.
Here are four common business profiles and the practical pathways to create dynamic, reliable dashboards and add clever AI tools to enhance the result.
Situation:
Your business primarily runs on Excel or Google Sheets. Data entry and reporting are manual. It’s highly prone to versioning issues and human error.
Pathway:
→ Standardise → Automate → Visualise
Execution:
- Standardise by creating consistent templates and naming conventions for key metrics.
- Automate data collection using tools like Power Query or Zapier to pull data into a central sheet automatically.
- Visualise the meaningful information with Excel Dashboards to create a live control centre.
The AI layer:
Tools like ChatGPT for Sheets and Excel Copilot are your go-to solutions.
Goal:
Move from manual to semi-automated. If spreadsheets are your jam, your business dashboard is built on a single “master spreadsheet”.
Situation:
Your business uses multiple disconnected systems (CRM, finance, operations, etc.). Data is siloed and time-consuming to reconcile.
Pathway:
→ Map → Integrate → Visualise
Execution:
- Map your systems and data points. Identify what data each tool holds, what’s duplicated, and which is the “source of truth” for each data point.
- Integrate those platforms with a middleware tool like Zapier or Make to make information flow from one platform to the next.
- Visualise the meaningful information with Power BI or Tableau.
The AI layer:
Generate predictive analytics through Power BI Copilot or Tableau Pulse.
Goal:
Achieve a complete business dashboard that blends multiple systems into a cohesive view without manually migrating data into one tool.
Situation:
Your business already runs on a comprehensive system (whether it’s HubSpot, Salesforce, or Monday.com) that captures at least all your operations data. However, you still rely on dedicated tools for finance or payroll, making reporting limited or cumbersome.
Pathway:
→ Optimise → Connect → Visualise
Execution:
- Optimise data capture within the system with custom fields, pipelines, or workflows and automations.
- Connect external complementary tools for specialised insights (e.g. finance, payroll or marketing).
- Visualise your custom dashboards using the built-in analytics tools or external BI platforms connected via API.
The AI layer:
Activate your platform’s built-in AI features, like HubSpot AI Forecasting, Salesforce Einstein Analytics, or Monday AI, for deeper business performance insights.
Goal:
Refine what data goes in and how it’s displayed to unlock the full potential of the existing system with minimal disruption and maximum clarity.
Situation:
Your business has already made progress in integrating tools or automating data flow, but the challenge is maintaining consistency and insight relevance as they scale.
Pathway:
→ Audit → Govern → Evolve
Execution:
- Audit data definitions, dashboard usage, and KPI alignment with business goals.
- Strengthen your “data governance”: naming conventions, documentation, permissions, and establish a review cadence.
- Continuously improve and evolve by testing and refining metrics, while aligning your dashboards to dynamic strategies.
The AI layer:
At this stage you need tools that work seamlessly with your tech stack with a high degree of integration while maintaining control. You are not looking for a product, but for a tech partner who can consistently and dynamically work with your team.
Goal:
Keep dashboards meaningful and adaptable as the business matures and priorities shift.
No matter where you’re starting from, there’s always a next step towards visibility and control. Strategic dashboards are no longer just for the elite; they’re an essential tool for any business ready to systemise wisely and make data work harder for them.
Choose one pathway that mirrors your business setup and start taking action. Whether that’s automating a single spreadsheet or auditing your tech stack, it builds momentum.
Not sure where to begin? Download our free AI Dashboard Blueprint, which contains a self-assessment tool to help you find the gaps in your data and create the dream dashboard your business needs to reach the next level.
