Although the typical workflow is to create an indicator or program measure while creating a scorecard container, a measure can also be created from scratch.
A common reason to create an indicator from scratch, and not as part of a scorecard, would be to use a measure as data for a calculated measure. If your account includes variables, which are used in calculated measures, these can be created from scratch as well.
Note: This article covers how to create an indicator from scratch. Creating a performance measure or variable from scratch works the same way.
To create a new indicator, open the Indicator list by choosing Objects / Measures / Indicators.
At the top of the Indicator list, click Add New.
At the top of the Create New Indicator page, assign an indicator name, keep the type as Indicator, and add any tags that will make it easier to find this indicator in a search.
The next set of fields relate to the data that will be entered or imported for this measure. The Data Format Preview shows an example of how the data will appear.
- Frequency: How often the data is reported or gathered. The default frequency is Monthly, or you can choose Quarterly, Annually, or Half-Year. Users with admin permission can set up additional frequencies.
- Polarity: The trend in data that indicates success. You can also choose not to display polarity, or that the indicator has no polarity.
- Decimals: Number of decimals after the decimal point
- Unit of Measure: If the data is a plain number, leave this field blank. But if the data is presented as a percent, dollar amount, or other type of unit, enter the symbol (% or $ etc.) in this field. Check Display Before to add the unit before the number, as in the case of dollar amounts.
- Calculation Type: If no calculation is needed for the data, choose Not Calculated. Standard calculation options include Sum, Average, Ratio, and Ratio x 100 for percents. There are also several sum and average calculations for YTD and totals. If you need a different calculation, there is also a Custom Equation option.
- Calculate Null Values as Zero: Check this option if you want to use a value of zero when no data is reported.
The last indicator field is Definition. Enter the indicator description, with options for standard text and HTML formatting, insert images and links, etc.
Click Save & Exit at the top, which opens the indicator details page, where you can add notes and data. This page will also show data results once entered. In the Add drop down menu at the top, or in the Relationships section at the bottom, you can add the indicator to one or more containers, define other measures that aggregate this measure, define measures used to calculate this measure, or add measures to compare on this measure’s data graph.
