Setting Up KPI Limits

A limit is a highlighted band of data within a KPI that each user can create by specifying an upper (maximum) boundary value and lower (minimum) boundary value. This limit area can then be assigned a "good," "bad", or "unknown" (informational/reference only) status.

Each KPI in your HIP system can have its own limits and each user in your organization can have a different limit for the same KPI. For example, the Executive Director may want to know when vacancies exceed 5% of total units, while each project manager may want to set the limit at 3%. With limits, a quick glance at the HIP view will tell you whether the metric is within range or needs attention.

Access KPI

In the Home tab menu, click KPI (under the HIP heading). The KPI - Pick a View tab opens.

Select the KPI you want to work with from the drop-down list at the top of the tab. (You can also quickly filter the list of KPI's by typing text into the drop-down list. As you type, the KPI that best matches your entry will display.) Once selected, the KPI information appears on the tab.

Hint: To quickly view a KPI's basic information, such as name, last update time stamp, current refresh frequency, historical archive frequency, and description, click . To read the additional information about a KPI, including the WinTen² reports with related data, as well as in-depth instructions on how to use all features of the HIP program, click to access the HIP Online Help Center. (To access the Help Center, your agency needs an internet connection).

Setup Limit Info

Click the Setup Limits link located at the bottom, left-hand corner of the tab. The KPI Limits window opens. If any limits have already been established by the user for the KPI, they will display in the Limits list on the left-hand side of the window.

To delete an existing warning limit, select and highlight the limit name in the Limits list and then click REMOVE. You can also edit an existing limit by selecting it in the Limits list, editing its information, and then clicking OK.

Click ADD to setup a limit for the KPI.

Enter a descriptive name for the limit, such as "Lower limit."

Specify the minimum value and maximum value. This establishes the upper (maximum) boundary value and lower (minimum) boundary value of the limit band.

Select the color in which the limit will display within the KPI.

Select the limit type (good, bad, or unknown). This assigns the limit area a "good," "bad", or "unknown" (informational/reference only) status.

If necessary, specify the color transparency.

Apply Limit

10.

Click OK to save and apply the limit. The KPI appears again with the limit displayed. You can now subscribe to the limit in order to be informed, or "alerted", when the KPI reaches a certain limit, and whether it is good, bad, or for reference/information purposes only.

Note: Limits also display in the KPI legend.

Note: Any filters applied to a KPI when limits are created are NOT carried over into alerts.

Hint: To exit out of an individual screen or tab, you can click on the toolbar, or next to the screen/tab name. You can also use the Escape (ESC) key on your keyboard. (If you haven't saved any changes before exiting, a message will appear asking if you'd like to save before closing.)