Ad Hoc Chart Report How-To

InetSoft's reporting software has a chart tool that allows you to view complex data in a simple and straightforward manner. Read on to learn more about the Style Intelligence solution.

The chart is a widely used element in data presentation. It presents data in a graphical form and is very useful to convey implications of certain data in a succinct manner. For instance, a corporate presentation may use a pie chart to show the market share of the industry leaders. This is more easily understood than a table of numbers.

  1. Choose ‘Chart Wizard’. In Step 1, select ‘Order details’ within ‘Orders’. Click ‘Next’ to proceed.
  2. In Step 2 you can select the desired chart style. Leave it as ‘Auto’.
  3. In Step 3, select the ‘Company’ field for the X-axis. Note that you can also derive new columns from existing columns.
  4. In Step 4, select ‘Total’ for the Y-axis. Select ‘Sum’ from the dropdown menu.
  5. In Step 5, you can select columns to be represented by various visual properties. Select ‘Product’ to be displayed as ‘Color’.
  6. For Step 6, specify the condition “Discount is greater than 0,” and click ‘Append’ to insert the condition.
  7. Click ‘Finish’.
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What KPIs and Metrics Are Tracked in the Charts of Federal Grants Management Dashboards?

Federal grants management dashboards are essential tools for tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics that ensure the effective and efficient use of federal funds. These dashboards provide a comprehensive view of grant activities, financial performance, compliance, and outcomes, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions and improve grant administration. Below are the KPIs and metrics commonly tracked in federal grants management dashboards, along with their definitions and significance in performance management.

1. Grant Award Amount

Definition: The total amount of money awarded for a specific grant.

Significance: This metric is fundamental for budgeting and financial planning. It helps in monitoring the allocation and utilization of funds, ensuring that the grant is adequately funded and that expenditures align with the budget.

2. Funds Obligated

Definition: The portion of the grant award that has been legally committed through contracts, purchase orders, or other agreements.

Significance: Tracking funds obligated is crucial for understanding the financial commitments of a grant. It ensures that the organization is adhering to its financial plans and provides insights into future cash flow requirements.

3. Funds Expended

Definition: The actual amount of money spent from the grant funds.

Significance: This KPI measures the spending rate and helps in assessing whether the funds are being used efficiently and within the grant period. It also aids in identifying any underspending or overspending issues that need to be addressed.

4. Unspent Funds

Definition: The remaining grant funds that have not yet been expended or obligated.

Significance: Monitoring unspent funds helps ensure that the grant money is fully utilized and that there are no surplus funds left at the end of the grant period. It also indicates the need for potential reallocation or extension requests.

5. Grant Compliance Rate

Definition: The percentage of grant activities that comply with federal regulations, guidelines, and grant agreements.

Significance: High compliance rates are critical to avoid legal and financial penalties. This metric ensures that the grant activities are in line with federal requirements, thereby maintaining the integrity and credibility of the grant program.

6. Reporting Timeliness

Definition: The percentage of reports submitted on or before the due date.

Significance: Timely reporting is essential for transparency and accountability. This KPI ensures that the organization is meeting its reporting obligations and provides timely data for decision-making and oversight.

7. Number of Grants Managed

Definition: The total number of grants currently being administered by the organization.

Significance: This metric helps in understanding the workload and capacity of the grants management team. It is also useful for resource planning and allocation.

8. Administrative Cost Percentage

Definition: The proportion of the grant funds spent on administrative activities compared to the total grant award.

Significance: Keeping administrative costs low ensures that a larger portion of the grant funds are used for programmatic activities. This metric helps in evaluating the efficiency of the grant administration process.

9. Programmatic Cost Percentage

Definition: The proportion of the grant funds spent on programmatic activities compared to the total grant award.

Significance: This KPI indicates how effectively the grant funds are being utilized to achieve the grant's objectives. Higher programmatic costs generally reflect better use of funds for the intended purpose.

10. Beneficiary Reach

Definition: The number of individuals or entities benefiting from the grant activities.

Significance: This metric measures the impact of the grant program and helps in evaluating its success in reaching the target audience. It is crucial for assessing the program's effectiveness and scalability.

11. Outcome Achievement Rate

Definition: The percentage of predefined outcomes or goals achieved through the grant activities.

Significance: This KPI assesses the effectiveness of the grant program in achieving its objectives. It helps in identifying successful strategies and areas that need improvement.

12. Subrecipient Monitoring

Definition: The frequency and thoroughness of monitoring activities conducted on subrecipients.

Significance: Effective subrecipient monitoring ensures that subawards are being managed properly and in compliance with federal regulations. This metric helps in mitigating risks associated with subrecipient activities.

13. Audit Findings

Definition: The number and severity of findings from audits related to the grant.

Significance: Audit findings indicate areas of non-compliance or inefficiency. Tracking this metric helps in identifying and addressing weaknesses in grant management practices, ensuring continuous improvement.

14. Corrective Action Implementation Rate

Definition: The percentage of identified issues from audits or reviews that have been addressed and resolved.

Significance: This KPI measures the effectiveness of corrective actions in addressing compliance and performance issues. It ensures that the organization is responsive to audit findings and committed to improving its practices.

15. Grant Closeout Rate

Definition: The percentage of grants successfully closed out within the stipulated time frame.

Significance: Timely grant closeouts are crucial for compliance and financial reconciliation. This metric ensures that all grant requirements are met and that final reports and audits are completed on time.

16. Stakeholder Satisfaction

Definition: The level of satisfaction among stakeholders, including funders, beneficiaries, and partners, with the grant management process.

Significance: High stakeholder satisfaction indicates effective communication, transparency, and efficient grant management. It helps in building trust and maintaining positive relationships.

17. Grant Application Success Rate

Definition: The percentage of grant applications submitted that are successfully awarded.

Significance: This metric measures the effectiveness of the grant application process. A high success rate indicates strong proposals and effective grant-seeking strategies.

18. Training Participation Rate

Definition: The percentage of staff and subrecipients who participate in grant-related training sessions.

Significance: Ensuring that staff and subrecipients are well-trained enhances compliance, efficiency, and overall grant performance. This KPI helps in evaluating the effectiveness of training programs.

19. Grant Modification Requests

Definition: The number of requests for modifications to the grant agreement, such as budget adjustments or timeline extensions.

Significance: Frequent modification requests may indicate issues in the initial planning and budgeting phases. This metric helps in identifying areas where planning processes can be improved.

20. Time to Grant Award

Definition: The average time taken from the grant application submission to the award notification.

Significance: A shorter time to award enhances the efficiency of the grant application process and ensures that funds are distributed and utilized promptly. This metric helps in evaluating and improving the grant review and awarding processes.

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