Executive Console - Understanding Charts

In the Executive Console, you can use charts to graphically compare the data elements within a key performance indicator.  You can create an ad hoc chart or save the chart's definition (called the Compare View) for later use.  The charts allow you to compare more than one Data Series on multiple X-axes.  For example, you can compare Current, 30-day, and 60-day totals all on one chart.

Chart Features:

• Plot data for key performance indicators.

• Create bar charts and line charts.

• Plot different Data Series on multiple X-axes.

• Display in 2D or 3D.

• Rotate chart orientation.

• Focus chart on specific Data Series and Categories.

Understanding Key Performance Indicators:

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Definition:  Quantifiable metrics, both financial and non-financial, used to assess the present state of the business and to prescribe a course of action.

The Executive Console displays the available KPIs for your application (INSight, Edifice, Invision, etc.) in the Key Performance Indicators Panel.  The application pushes the data into EMS using various methods.  Some applications require special utilities to load the data to EMS.  Other applications load the data directly from normal reports and processes.

To see information about the key performance indicators for each application, see the Key Performance Indicators topic.
Tip:  This topic requires Internet access and the Adobe Reader.

Understanding the Elements of a Chart:

Tip:  To see a diagram of the elements of a chart, click More.

The following terminology is used when describing charts:

• Compare View:  A defined view for a chart.  A Compare View allows you to graphically compare key performance indicator data in a bar chart or line chart.  To save the definition of a chart, you must assign a Compare View Name.

• Chart Title:  The Chart Title automatically appears at the top of the chart.  It is derived from the Data Set and Compare Elements defined in the Compare Parameters Window.

• Y-Axis:  The vertical bar containing tick marks (labels) for the data scale.  The Y-axis values come directly from the data, and the software automatically determines the tick mark scale and labels.

• X-Axis:  The horizontal bar containing labels for axis categories.  You can have multiple X-axes, one for each data series.

• Data Set:  A set of predefined data for a key performance indicator.  You can select one data set to include in a chart.

• Compare Element:  A sub-set of nested data groupings within a data set.  You can select one or more compare elements to be included in a chart.  To focus the chart on a single compare element, in the chart's legend you can click the compare element, which appears as a legend heading.

• Category for X-Axis:  A field within a selected compare element.  You can select one or more categories to appear in a chart.  The category names appear as vertical labels on the X-axis.  To focus the chart on a single category, you can click the category in the chart's legend, which appears as a legend detail row.  For example, if you specify several medical providers to be included in a chart, then each provider is a category.

• Data Series:  Data buckets that allow you to compare the categories among different series.  Each series adds another X-axis.  For example, you can display the aging dollars for more than one bucket, such as Current, 30-day, and 60-day.

Data Hierarchy:

• Key Performance Indicator

• Data Set

• Compare Element

• Category

• Data Series

Creating a Chart:

This section describes the basic steps for creating a chart.  For more information, click the hyperlinks included in the directions.

1.  Setup the Compare Parameters for the chart:

a.  Open the Executive Console.

b.  Click Compare View  in the Key Performance Indicators Panel.
Tip:  Each time you open a Compare View chart, a new sub-panel for the chart opens in the Content View Panel.  You can scroll to see all of the open KPI charts.

c.  Click a KPI.
Tip:  You may have to click Plus  to open one or more headings before revealing a specific KPI.  To close heading levels, click Minus .

d.  To display the Compare Parameters Window, click Search  in the Content View Panel.

e.  Fill in the Compare Parameters.
Tips:

• You can skip the Name if you want, for now.

• If you want to use an existing compare view, click Open  and select the Compare View that you want to maintain.

2.  Set up the Data Series for the chart:

a.  To display the SnapShot Compare Chart Setup Window, click Chart  at the Compare Parameters Window.

b.  Define the settings in the SnapShot Compare Chart Setup window.

c. To return to the Compare Parameters window, click OK .

d.  If you want to save the Compare View definition for future use, enter the Name and click Save  at the Compare Parameters Window.
Otherwise, skip this step.

e.  To display the chart in the Content View Panel, click OK at the Compare Parameters Window.
Tip:  You can alternatively display the chart in the SnapShot Compare Window.

Displaying and Manipulating a Chart:

To see information about opening and changing the look of a chart, see the Executive Console - How To... topic.