In SharePoint 2010 you have the ability to create relationships between key performance indicators (KPIs) and a shapes Visio diagram. This relationship is called a strategy map. Typically, in a PerformancePoint Dashboard you will see a scorecard coupled with a strategy map, as shown in Figure 20-1.
When creating strategy maps, you are not limited to the one shown in the figure. You can use any Visio diagram to create a strategy map. However, when designing your diagram, care should be taken when choosing shapes. If you want the shapes and colors to automatically update, avoid using complex shapes such as those that include groupings or sets of other shapes. In this lesson, you will learn how to leverage the contents of a scorecard to create a strategy map.
Strategy maps are created for various reasons. Typically, strategy maps are created to assist organizations in visualizing and uncovering strategic objectives. In addition, the mapping also illustrates cause-effect relationships among an organization or department objectives and strategies. For example, you could create a strategy map to show performance metrics across plants in a region. You could also create a strategy map that shows how individual branch offices are performing across the country. Regardless of your motive, the end results should reveal existing or potential bottlenecks that may hinder the success of your company.
You can use PerformancePoint Dashboard Designer to create a strategy map inside of SharePoint 2010 that can be included on your dashboard. A scorecard will be used as the data source for the strategy map. Each shape is connected to a KPI in a scorecard when designing and configuring a strategy map. The color of the shape will correspond to the performance of the particular item.
To create a strategy map, start by creating a diagram in Visio and a scorecard in PerformancePoint. Before you create a strategy map report, make sure that you are using the 64-bit version of Microsoft Visio. Figure 20-2 is a simple Visio drawing, which is a simple strategy map that shows a country grouping at the top level and its corresponding countries below.
Once you have completed these steps, start the Dashboard Designer and locate the Workspace Browser pane. Then right-click the PerformancePoint Content item and select New Report from the dialog box that appears. In the Select a Report Template window, shown in Figure 20-3, choose Strategy Map and click OK.
On the next screen select the scorecard that will serve as the data source for the strategy map. A blank report will be created. Now click the Edit Strategy Map icon in the top-left corner of the designer and the Strategy Map Editor will appear, as shown in Figure 20-4.
You can now either import an existing Visio file using the Import Visio File button or you can create a Visio diagram from scratch by clicking the Stencil button. Regardless of your selection, all the subsequent steps are the same. Select a shape from the diagram and click Connect in the menu bar. The Connect Shape dialog window appears, as shown in Figure 20-5.
Select a cell from the Goal and Status column in the scorecard, click the Connect button, and click Close. Repeat the steps for each shape on the diagram. Once you are finished, click the Apply button.
Now that you have created a strategy map, you will need to deploy and test it in SharePoint. The deployment process is very straightforward. To deploy your strategy map, ensure that it is selected in the Workspace Browser. Then click the save icon on the Dashboard Designer menu bar. Once you are done, open your SharePoint Business Intelligence site and click PerformancePoint Content, as shown in Figure 20-6.
Finally, to test your strategy map, hover over the item in the list and a drop-down arrow will appear. Click the arrow and select Display Report, as shown in Figure 20-7.
In this Try It, you learn to create a strategy map from a Visio diagram. You also learn how to deploy the completed strategy map to your SharePoint site.
Use the Dashboard Designer to create a scorecard. Then create a strategy map that will use the aforementioned scorecard as the data source for each shape. You will need to download Lesson20VisioDiagram from the Wrox website. You will also need to download Visio Viewer, which is located here: www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=f9ed50b0-c7df-4fb8-89f8-db2932e624f7.
If you expand any of the Groups, you will see the scorecard values, goals, status, and trends.
Please select Lesson 20 on the DVD to view the video that accompanies this lesson.