Best Practices in Setting Up Hierarchical Reporting

Updated 

Let us have a look at the best practices:

  1. Define the Organizational Hierarchy Clearly

    1. Map Out Levels: Start by defining the levels of hierarchy (for example, Organization > Region > Store > Team). Make sure these levels correspond to your organizational framework.

    2. Consistent Naming Conventions: Utilize consistent naming conventions for hierarchy levels and units to prevent misunderstandings during configuration and evaluation.

  2. Use Accurate and Up-to-Date Data

    1. Initial Data Upload: Make sure that the data utilized for establishing the hierarchy is precise. Utilize verified Excel or CSV files for a seamless upload.

    2. Regular Updates: Regularly refresh the hierarchy to account for changes within the organization (such as the introduction of new departments or alterations in reporting structures). Utilize the dynamic update function to upload only the rows that have been changed.

    3. Quality Checks: Conduct routine audits to ensure that the hierarchy and related data are accurate.

  3. Align Reporting Metrics with Business Goals

    1. Custom Metrics: Establish metrics that represent the key performance indicators (KPIs) pertinent to every level of the hierarchy. For example:

      1. Regional Managers: Store-level sales and satisfaction scores.

      2. Customer Experience Officers: Consolidated performance trends and strategic KPIs.

    2. Benchmarking: Utilize hierarchical reporting to evaluate comparable units (such as stores within the same area) for the purpose of performance benchmarking.

  4. Drive Insights with Visualisation and Filters

    1. Interactive Dashboards: Make use of visual tools like charts and graphs to simplify data interpretation at all levels.

    2. Filtering: Enable filtering options to allow users to concentrate on specific segments (for example, by region, store, or department).

  5. Creation of Hierarchy fields

    1. Naming for hierarchy fields: Create and designate hierarchy fields in a way that allows them to be easily identifiable for both the user setting up the hierarchy and any analyst developing a dashboard that includes filters based on the specific data represented by those fields.

    2. Create User fields: The user is required to establish user fields solely for those fields that analysts intend to use for generating dynamic reports involving all stakeholders.

    3. Populate the user fields value: Make sure to input values into the user fields exactly as they appear in the hierarchy to ensure consistent filtering.