Dashboard Reports

This Business Week article discusses some of the software that executives use to create "dashboard reports" for their firms.

If you aren't familiar with a "dashboard report," you may be missing a very valuable tool.

Simply put, a dashboard report contains key performance indicators on key areas of responsibility, much like the dashboard of your car. It allows you to get wind of problems before things get too bad and to take timely action.

The article notes some downsides but I think they are minor in comparison to the benefits.