Dashboard QA and Metric Reconciliation (QA)

Dashboard QA and Metric Reconciliation (QA)

1. 01

   Freeze the reporting dataset and record its extraction timestamp before any dashboard build begins

   A moving dataset makes QA impossible. Snapshot the source tables, note the refresh cadence, and confirm the client's reporting period closes before you start validating numbers.

2. 02

   Reconcile every headline metric against the client's system of record

   Pull the same metric from the source platform (CRM, ad account, billing system) and compare to the dashboard value. A variance above 2% needs a written explanation before the dashboard ships.

3. 03

   Test each filter and drill-down path with a non-analyst on the team

   Hand the dashboard to someone who did not build it and ask them to answer three client questions. If they cannot navigate to the answer in under 60 seconds, the layout needs rework.

4. 04

   Verify that automated alerts fire on real thresholds, not on stale or null data

   Trigger a test alert with a known value and confirm it reaches the right inbox. Platforms like Knowi and ThoughtSpot support alerting, but a misconfigured threshold that fires on empty data erodes client trust fast.

5. 05

   Confirm row-level access rules match the client's org chart

   If the client has regional managers or franchise owners, each should see only their slice. Test with a restricted account before granting broad access. Sigma Computing and Qlik both support governed access, but the rules must be configured per client.

6. 06

   Document the metric definitions in a one-page glossary the client can keep

   Every dashboard needs a plain-language definition for each metric: what it counts, what it excludes, and which source it comes from. This prevents the 'why does this number differ from my spreadsheet' conversation on every review call.

7. 07

   Run a final pass with the client's finance or ops lead before the first review meeting

   The person who defends the number to leadership should see it first. A 15-minute pre-review catches definitional mismatches that would otherwise surface in a board meeting and put the retainer at risk.