SharePoint 2010 PerformancePoint Services : Understanding and Working with Scorecards (part 1) - Creating KPIs with the Scorecard Wizard

Creating KPIs with the Scorecard Wizard

The fastest and easiest way to create a scorecard is to create the KPIs directly from the data source that you want to use. The wizard creates both the scorecard and a set of associated KPIs with the scorecard. Though the wizard offers limited formatting options, it is possible to customize the scorecard and associated KPIs later. This means that it serves as a good tool to get up and running quickly with scorecards.

The following example demonstrates how to create a scorecard based on an Analysis Services data source. It is possible to import KPIs from Analysis, too, through the wizard. This assumes that you have KPIs stored in Analysis Services and that you want to use them. When importing KPIs from Analysis, the KPIs are imported using custom MDX as the KPI type. The example also imports any custom indicators that will be utilized.

1.	To start the Scorecard Creation Wizard, right-click a PerformancePoint content list, select New, and then select Scorecard.
2.	Select the Analysis Services template from the Select a Scorecard Template dialog, as shown in Figure 1, and then click Next. Figure 1. Start by selecting a scorecard template. Note There is an option to not use the Scorecard Creation Wizard when creating new scorecards on this page. Clearing this option automatically creates blank scorecards for the current user without presenting the wizard user interface. If the check box is accidentally cleared and you want to restore the Scorecard Creation Wizard, go to the Designer Options menu found under the Office jewel icon in the upper-left corner of Dashboard Designer.
3.	Select an available Analysis Services data source in the Create an Analysis Services Scorecard dialog that contains KPIs to import (see Figure 2). An example of a sample data source that contains SQL KPIs is the Adventure Works Data Warehouse sample found at http://www.codeplex.com. Figure 2. Select a data source.
4.	Accept the default option Create KPIs from SQL Server Analysis Services measure from the Select a KPI Source page in the wizard, and then click Next.
5.	At this point, you see a blank list of KPIs. Click the Add button to create an entry in the grid, which enables you to choose from the available measures from the data source. You should also choose a banding method.
6.	Select the KPIs you want to import from the Select KPIs to Import page in the dialog shown in Figure 3, and then click Next. Figure 3. Select to add or import KPIs and select the band method. Note The Select KPI button allows inclusion of already created PPS KPIs into the scorecard you are creating.
7.	The Add Measure Filters dialog page, shown in Figure 4, allows the addition of a single dimension filter to the data source. It is not necessary to make any changes to this screen. Click Next to continue. Figure 4. Select to add member or time filters. Note Filters added in this dialog will be placed on each KPI individually as a dimension filter. It is also possible to place time intelligence (TI) filters on the KPIs that are created by entering a TI formula in the Time Filters box.
8.	The Add member columns page allows the addition of a dimension on the columns of the scorecard. There is no need to make any changes on this page. Click Next to continue. Note This performs the function of slicing the KPI across the dimension members selected to appear in the columns.
9.	The Locations page enables you to create content in a specific PPS content list. Select the list in which you want to create the new scorecard and KPIs. Click Next.

At this point, the scorecard and all associated KPIs and indicators are created in Dashboard Designer and the scorecard is displayed, as shown in Figure 5. Do not forget to save the scorecard and associated KPIs to the server when you are pleased with them.

Figure 5. The scorecard appears in the Dashboard Designer Editor tab, where you can continue to work with it.