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Cases

Ohjelma
Bike Lease Finland

Bike Lease Finland

Leasing and maintenance of employee bicycles, digital services.

Ohjelma
Excelence Solutions

Excelence Solutions

Consulting and data analytics, expert services and consulting.

Ohjelma
Finnish Timber Oy

Finnish Timber Oy

Ecological log buildings and construction site processes, project business.

Ohjelma
Green Scape

Green Scape

Customized green wall services for B2B clients, service business.

Ohjelma
Marine Craft

Marine Craft

Customized motorboats, project delivery, manufacturing industry.

Ohjelma
Scandinavian Design

Scandinavian Design

Leasing and maintenance of company bicycles, digital services.

Task

Draft of the Dashboard Concept



In this task, the student designs a concept for a simple financial dashboard for a case company. They select key financial metrics, define their update frequency, and describe who the dashboard is intended for and what decisions it supports. Additionally, the student outlines the structure of the dashboard, including what information is displayed as quick data, graphs, and lists. The task reinforces the ability to design purposeful financial reporting utilizing the principles of data analytics.

Learning objectives

After completing the task, the student:
1. Can identify the key metrics for monitoring the finances of the case company.
2. Can design a simple financial dashboard where metrics, update frequency, and users are defined.
3. Understands how financial data can be presented clearly to support decision-making.
4. Gains experience in combining perspectives from financial management and data analytics in practical reporting solutions.

Step by step

  1. Dashboard-konseptin luonnos

    Objective:
    The objective of this assignment is that the student is able to design a simple financial dashboard for the case company, in which the key indicators are presented clearly to support decision-making. The aim is to understand which metrics should be monitored, how often, and for whom the report is intended.

    Materials:

    • The case description of the case company you have chosen from the learning materials.

    • The assignment is based on the information in the case description and on well-grounded assumptions about the company’s size, industry and objectives (not on reviewing real systems or reports).

    Assignment process (instructions for the student):

    1. Describe the case company’s decision-making needs
      Write 5–8 sentences in which you describe:

      • the environment in which the case company operates (e.g. growth, profitability pressures, seasonal variation)

      • who in the company make financial decisions (e.g. entrepreneur, person responsible for finance, sales manager)

      • which questions they need quick answers to (e.g. “is there enough cash?”, “which products are profitable?”).

    2. Choose the metrics to be monitored on the dashboard
      Prepare a list of 5–7 key financial metrics that would be the most relevant for this case company. You can choose for example:

      • revenue

      • gross margin or gross profit

      • fixed and variable costs

      • cash flow or cash balance

      • trade receivables and trade payables

      • customer acquisition cost or average purchase.
        For each metric, briefly write: what it tells and why it is important for decision-making.

    3. Define the update frequency and data sources of the metrics
      Decide for each metric how often it is intended to be updated (e.g. daily, weekly, monthly).
      In a text of 5–10 sentences, describe:

      • from where the data would practically come (e.g. accounting, invoicing system, sales reports)

      • whether some of the data needs to be entered manually (e.g. forecasts, budget) or whether it can be obtained automatically.

    4. Define the users and main purpose of the dashboard
      Name 1–2 primary user groups (e.g. management, sales team, person responsible for finance) and, in 5–8 sentences, describe:

      • what needs they have for reporting

      • what kinds of decisions the dashboard is intended to support (e.g. cost cutting, investment decisions, focusing sales).
        Finally, write a short paragraph about what does not need to be shown on the dashboard so that it remains clear.

    5. Design the structure and layout of the dashboard
      Write a text-based draft in which you describe:

      • which metrics would be on the top row as “quick info” (e.g. this month’s revenue, margin, cash balance)

      • which metrics are shown as graphs (e.g. revenue development over 12 months)

      • what can be shown as a list or table (e.g. most profitable products, largest cost categories).
        Explain in 1–2 paragraphs how it should be possible to see at a glance from the dashboard whether the company’s situation is good, neutral or concerning.

    6. Summarise the dashboard concept on one page
      Write a summary of 5–7 sentences in which you explain:

      • for whom the dashboard is intended

      • which key metrics are monitored there and how often

      • how the dashboard helps management and the rest of the organisation to monitor financial development and react in time.

    Submission and assessment:
    Submit a text of about 1–2 pages that shows:

    • the decision-making needs of the case company

    • the selected metrics and the justification for their importance

    • the update frequency and data sources of the metrics

    • the users and main purpose of the dashboard

    • the described structure and a concise concept summary.

    In the assessment, attention will be paid to how well:

    • the selected metrics correspond to the real needs of the case company

    • the users and purpose of the dashboard have been defined and justified

    • the structure is clear and logical from the perspective of decision-making

    • the text is structured, understandable and based on the case description.

    Recommended working time: about 45–60 minutes, individually or in pairs.

Tasks by audience and theme

University of applied sciences

Polytechnics and higher education studies.

68 tasks