Creating a KPI list based on a SharePoint list.

SharePoint as a business tool can be utilized for displaying data for the end users. And not just displaying the data, but displaying it in brief so that the users get to know the overall scenario without getting down to the basics. For these reasons, I have always liked SharePoint.

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is financial and non-financial metrics used to help an organization define and measure progress toward organizational goals. KPIs can be delivered through Business Intelligence techniques to assess the present state of the business and to assist in prescribing a course of action.

Sample KPI list

Consider the following scenario:

You have a company where the performance is based on Surveys that the users provide for the product/company. The Company Director would like the survey data targets to be displayed on the home page of a report site on the SharePoint web application. Now, there are four parameters that need to be displayed on the KPI list.

• Top Area [Overall survey points including all the parameters. The total point are 10 and if the user give a overall survey of equal to or greater than 8 points, then that would be considered under this parameter]
• Bottom Area [This is opposite of Top Area. Now if the end user give a overall score of equal to or less than 4 points, then that would be considered under this parameter]
• Product Quality [This is the individual rating the end user gives about the product that they are using. This is also a score out of 10 points. If the user gives a score of equal to or greater than 8 points then that would be counted positive under this category or else for any value less than 8, it would be considered as negative]
• Engineer Knowledge [This is the individual rating the end user gives based on what they think about the support engineer/executive/customer service agent that they has a talk with. This is also a score out of 10 points. If the user gives a score of equal to or greater than 8 points then that would be counted positive under this category or else for any value less than 8, it would be considered as negative]

The above scenario is just an example so that we can develop out KPI list. The scenario may depend on the company requirement.

e.g. A sales company may want to display the sales that are done for different products in different areas. As per the definition of KPI, it is not necessary that we display only financial data. We can display any data where target is in picture. E.g. if a department want to meet 75% of total product sales in a specific region, we can create a KPI list that can show the current status of the sales as per the data that is present in a SharePoint list / database / external source like XML. In this tutorial, we will first continue with using another SharePoint lists as the data source for generating the KPI list.

So, now that we have an understanding of the scenario, let us get started with the actual work.

• I have created a collaboration portal site which by default creates a “Reports” sub site under the top level site. We can even use a team site or a blank site template to start with. But there might be features that are required for a specific web part to function properly. For these reasons, I tend to start off with a publishing site template and then test it with other templates.
• Browse to the “Reports” site and click on “View All Site Content” in the quick launch bar. Select the Create button in the Actions menu bar.

Create Site Content

• Create a list. I am using the Custom List, so that I can have the columns as per the report requirements.

Creating Custom List

• Enter the description of the custom list and click on “Create” button.

Survey Data – Custom List Details

• Now to add the custom columns, we need to click on “Settings” button in the Actions menu bar of the list and go to “List Settings”.

Survey Data – List Settings

• Under the columns section, select “Create Column” and create the following columns in the list.

Survey Data – Columns

The Engineer column is a lookup column that is pulling out data from other list [which contains the engineer details. This concept in SharePoint is called re-usability, where a list can contain general data and that can be used in multiple locations. Thus the end-user does not have to always feed in the data for the individual items. The list automatically pulls out the data that is present and the user just have to select the item from the list.]

• Once we have the above columns created, we will add some items in the “Surveys” list. This data will be used for getting the KPI on out site. After filling in some items, the list should look somewhat like this.

Survey Data – List Items

• Now that we have the data filled in the list, we need to create a KPI list in the site. So, once again , we will browse to the “View All Site Content” of the Reports Site and select the “Create” Option. This time, select the “KPI list” under the custom list section and fill in the details to create a KPI list. Now, we have already been through the process of creating a list, so I am keeping it short this time.
• Once the list is created, it should look like this.

Survey KPI – Blank List

• Select, New -> Indicator using data in SharePoint list

Creating a new KPI item

• Put the following settings for the KPI item

Name : Top Area
Description : This KPI displays the performance indicator for the top area.

List Url : Select the “Survey Data” list from the list locator. The url should be
/Reports/Lists/Survey Data/AllItems.aspx

Under the “Value Calculation” section, Keep the option – “Percentage of list items in the view where” selected as we are going to show the data in percentage format on the KPI.

Select the “Overall” column -> is greater than or equal to -> 8 [Here, “8” is the value which defines the limit. If the Overall score of the survey is greater than “8” then the survey data will be counted under the Top Area parameter.]

Moving on to the next section [Status Icon], select the following settings:

Better values are : greater
Display when has met or exceeded goal 70

Display when has met or exceeded warning 65

Display otherwise

• Leave the other settings as default and click on “OK” button.

Now, this was an example for the “Top Area” KPI parameter. Similarly, I have created 3 more KPI items for the bottom area, engineer knowledge and product quality. Now all these items have their own logic as the one above. Depending on the scenario, you can create your own KPI items.

Once the KPI items are created, the KPI list should look like this.

Final Survey KPI list view

Now, you have your KPI list ready and working. The only thing that might be missing is to display the list on your home page of the Report site. For that you need to browse to the home page of the Report Site -> Site Actions -> Edit Page -> Click on “Add a web part” on a zone of your choice.

Add the “Key Performance Indicators” web part on the page.

KPI Web Part

Configure the KPI web part and specify the “Survey KPI” list as the source for the KPI web part and there you are.… KPI on your Report site.

SharePoint as a business tool can be utilized for displaying data for the end users. And not just displaying the data, but displaying it in brief so that the users get to know the overall scenario without getting down to the basics. For these reasons, I have always liked SharePoint.

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is financial and non-financial metrics used to help an organization define and measure progress toward organizational goals. KPIs can be delivered through Business Intelligence techniques to assess the present state of the business and to assist in prescribing a course of action.
Sample KPI list





Consider the following scenario:

You have a company where the performance is based on Surveys that the users provide for the product/company. The Company Director would like the survey data targets to be displayed on the home page of a report site on the SharePoint web application. Now, there are four parameters that need to be displayed on the KPI list.

* Top Area [Overall survey points including all the parameters. The total point are 10 and if the user give a overall survey of equal to or greater than 8 points, then that would be considered under this parameter]
* Bottom Area [This is opposite of Top Area. Now if the end user give a overall score of equal to or less than 4 points, then that would be considered under this parameter]
* Product Quality [This is the individual rating the end user gives about the product that they are using. This is also a score out of 10 points. If the user gives a score of equal to or greater than 8 points then that would be counted positive under this category or else for any value less than 8, it would be considered as negative]
* Engineer Knowledge [This is the individual rating the end user gives based on what they think about the support engineer/executive/customer service agent that they has a talk with. This is also a score out of 10 points. If the user gives a score of equal to or greater than 8 points then that would be counted positive under this category or else for any value less than 8, it would be considered as negative]



The above scenario is just an example so that we can develop out KPI list. The scenario may depend on the company requirement.

e.g. A sales company may want to display the sales that are done for different products in different areas. As per the definition of KPI, it is not necessary that we display only financial data. We can display any data where target is in picture. E.g. if a department want to meet 75% of total product sales in a specific region, we can create a KPI list that can show the current status of the sales as per the data that is present in a SharePoint list / database / external source like XML. In this tutorial, we will first continue with using another SharePoint lists as the data source for generating the KPI list.



So, now that we have an understanding of the scenario, let us get started with the actual work.

* I have created a collaboration portal site which by default creates a “Reports” sub site under the top level site. We can even use a team site or a blank site template to start with. But there might be features that are required for a specific web part to function properly. For these reasons, I tend to start off with a publishing site template and then test it with other templates.
* Browse to the “Reports” site and click on “View All Site Content” in the quick launch bar. Select the Create button in the Actions menu bar.




Create Site Content
Create Site Content

* Create a list. I am using the Custom List, so that I can have the columns as per the report requirements.

Creating Custom List
Creating Custom List

* Enter the description of the custom list and click on “Create” button.

Survey Data - Custom List Details
Survey Data – Custom List Details

* Now to add the custom columns, we need to click on “Settings” button in the Actions menu bar of the list and go to “List Settings”.

Survey Data - List Settings
Survey Data – List Settings

* Under the columns section, select “Create Column” and create the following columns in the list.

Survey Data - Columns
Survey Data – Columns

The Engineer column is a lookup column that is pulling out data from other list [which contains the engineer details. This concept in SharePoint is called re-usability, where a list can contain general data and that can be used in multiple locations. Thus the end-user does not have to always feed in the data for the individual items. The list automatically pulls out the data that is present and the user just have to select the item from the list.]



* Once we have the above columns created, we will add some items in the “Surveys” list. This data will be used for getting the KPI on out site. After filling in some items, the list should look somewhat like this.

Survey Data - List Items
Survey Data – List Items

* Now that we have the data filled in the list, we need to create a KPI list in the site. So, once again , we will browse to the “View All Site Content” of the Reports Site and select the “Create” Option. This time, select the “KPI list” under the custom list section and fill in the details to create a KPI list. Now, we have already been through the process of creating a list, so I am keeping it short this time.
* Once the list is created, it should look like this.

Survey KPI - Blank List
Survey KPI – Blank List

* Select, New -> Indicator using data in SharePoint list

Creating a new KPI item
Creating a new KPI item

* Put the following settings for the KPI item

Name : Top Area
Description : This KPI displays the performance indicator for the top area.

List Url : Select the “Survey Data” list from the list locator. The url should be
/Reports/Lists/Survey Data/AllItems.aspx

Under the “Value Calculation” section, Keep the option – “Percentage of list items in the view where” selected as we are going to show the data in percentage format on the KPI.

Select the “Overall” column -> is greater than or equal to -> 8 [Here, “8” is the value which defines the limit. If the Overall score of the survey is greater than “8” then the survey data will be counted under the Top Area parameter.]



Moving on to the next section [Status Icon], select the following settings:

Better values are : greater
Display when has met or exceeded goal 70

Display when has met or exceeded warning 65

Display otherwise



* Leave the other settings as default and click on “OK” button.



Now, this was an example for the “Top Area” KPI parameter. Similarly, I have created 3 more KPI items for the bottom area, engineer knowledge and product quality. Now all these items have their own logic as the one above. Depending on the scenario, you can create your own KPI items.
Once the KPI items are created, the KPI list should look like this.

Final Survey KPI list view
Final Survey KPI list view

Now, you have your KPI list ready and working. The only thing that might be missing is to display the list on your home page of the Report site. For that you need to browse to the home page of the Report Site -> Site Actions -> Edit Page -> Click on “Add a web part” on a zone of your choice.
Add the “Key Performance Indicators” web part on the page.

KPI Web Part
KPI Web Part

Configure the KPI web part and specify the “Survey KPI” list as the source for the KPI web part and there you are.… KPI on your Report site.

What SharePoint Can Do ????

SharePoint is one of the most useful, versatile and beneficial technologies you can use. SharePoint can do many things for you, from managing data to document sharing to instant messaging. If you take a few minutes to think about the things SharePoint can do for you, you might just be pleasantly surprised.

On a basic level, SharePoint can provide you and your organization a way to share knowledge. Sharing knowledge benefits you on several levels. It helps to reduce the duplication of effort inside your organization. Users can become more efficient, building off one another’s work instead of creating everything they might need from the ground up.

In addition, the kind of knowledge sharing that SharePoint provides your business helps to streamline the knowledge sharing process. Rather than having to look in several places – such as a server, a personal computer and a filing cabinet – your employees can find all of the information in the SharePoint repository.

One of the best things about SharePoint is that it makes finding documents easier. While most companies have a way to share documents, SharePoint lets you do it in a uniform way. For example, attaching documents to email messages means that only the recipient of the email message has access to the document. In addition, to get any use out of the document in the future, that user has to be able to remember the particulars of the email in order to find the document. SharePoint puts the document in a central location where it is easily accessed.

In addition to easy access, SharePoint lets users have the latest and best information available. If you send someone a document via Email or burn a document to a CD, the recipient will only ever have that version of the document. If you update the document in the future, you’ll have to send an entirely new Email or burn a new CD. With SharePoint, you simply update the document on the SharePoint server and the user will have the latest version at their fingertips.

SharePoint can also reduce your overall need for Information Technology consulting or personnel. For example, SharePoint can empower your Human Resources personnel to make information available directly to employees via SharePoint, rather than having to place a request with your IT department and waiting for them to make the information available.

You can also use SharePoint to provide data and information across your organization to users without specialized knowledge or without specialized software. You could post accounting data to SharePoint, for example, which could then be used by other departments without having to install the accounting software and without having to make a formal request to the accounting department. In this way, SharePoint makes your company’s important data more accessible to the entire organization.

If you need a more effective way to share information across your company, consider implementing a SharePoint solution. SharePoint can make your business run smoother, and can do it in such a way that actually saves you money and increases productivity

Changing Face of MOSS 2007 To sharepont 2010

The SharePoint 2010 Microsoft has regrouped all the feature into 6 new Feature Area

Here is the Mapping between the Feature Areas from Office SharePoint 2007 to SharePoint 2010

1. Collaboration is now Communities

2. Portals is now Sites

3. Business Processes is now Composites

4. Business Intelligence is now Insights

5. Search is Search

6. Content Management is now Content

SQL SERVER – Delete Duplicate Records

Following code is useful to delete duplicate records. The table must have identity column, which will be used to identify the duplicate records. Table in example is has ID as Identity Column and Columns which have duplicate data are DuplicateColumn1, DuplicateColumn2 and DuplicateColumn3.

DELETE
FROM MyTable
WHERE ID NOT IN
(
SELECT MAX(ID)
FROM MyTable
GROUP BY DuplicateColumn1, DuplicateColumn2, DuplicateColumn3)

div element

What is a div element? A div element is a block of content that can be positioned anywhere on your site by using absolute positioning and the

tag. The purpose of div elements is to hold content, whereas frames hold pages. This content can be placed anywhere on your site and it can even overlap. The content can consist of images or html. All of the style elements like scrollbar color and font color can be controlled by a simple style sheet.



How do I make a basic div block? This is the code for a basic div:

Content goes here (images, text)

In the above code, there are a few variables that need to be defined:


•id: This is just the number of your div. It helps you sort out easily which div element is which when you have many layers. It's also useful for identifying layers so that you can have different style attributes in your style sheet for each div element.


•Top: This is the number in pixels that your div element will be positioned horizontally from the top of the page. If you give "top" a number value of "20," your div element will be 20 pixels down from the very top of your page.


•Left: This is the number in pixels that your div element will be positioned vertically from the left of your page. If you give "left" a number value of "20," your div element will be 20 pixels left from the very left side of your page.


•Width: This is the width of your div element in pixels.


•Height: This is the height of your div element in pixels.


•Z-index: This is the order in which your div elements are stacked, or overlapped. The number 1 would be the first layer, and the layer closest to the background of your site. The number 2 would be stacked on top of number 1, etc. You can remove this tag if you are using layers that you do not want to overlap.


•Padding: This is the margin of your div element in pixels. For instance, if you have text in your div element, you'll need margins so that the text doesn't go from one end of the div element to the other. This tag acts just like the cellpadding tag for tables.


•Border: This is the border of your div element in pixels. If you don't want a border, remove this variable. You can have a border that is solid, dottted, dashed, double, groove, ridge, inset, or outset.


•Background-image: This is the background image of your div element for IE.


•Layer-background-image:This is the background image of your div element for Netscape.










How do I make a div element that scrolls? Adding the "overflow:auto" tag to your div element will make it scrollable, like a text area:

Your text and images would go here

In the above code, you can position the div element by adjusting the numbers in bold.












How do I change the div scrollbar color? (IE only) You can use this method to change the color of your individual div element scrollbars. Using a style sheet makes your scrollbars all the same color. If you want a different color for a particular div, you can use this method, substitute your own 6 digit color number where you see bold text:

Content here

July 14, 2010 Designs 0 Read More →

Bing Map Virtual Earth intellisense

Bing Map Virtual Earth intellisense

Sample Soution

The solution can be downloaded from: http://www.aggregatedintelligence.com/Samples/VEandWS/VEandWS.zip

Reference:

* Virtual Earth SDK reference: http://dev.live.com/virtualearth/sdk/
* Virtual Earth Dev site: http://dev.live.com/virtualearth/
* Virtual Earth Tools for Visual Studio: http://dev.live.com/tools/ (This is an alternate way to use VE Maps in your ASP.Net app. It provides you with a server side VE Map control, which means that you can load it with data in your server side code).
* VE intellisense for Visual Studio 2008: http://www.codeplex.com/VEJS (This will make your life extremely easy to work with the VE map control, as it provides you with intellisense inside Visual Studio).