Business Analytics, KPIs & ROI Tracking
Choosing the right KPIs, measuring ROI, building dashboards and data foundations, and using predictive analytics without the hype. 80 articles.
Start here: the complete guide
Business Analytics for Finance and Operations: The Complete Guide
A practical guide to business analytics for finance and operations leaders: KPIs, ROI, dashboards, data foundations, automation, AI and buying decisions.
Analytics foundations
- What Is Business Analytics? A Practical IntroductionGuide / explainer · 9 min
- Descriptive, Predictive, and Prescriptive Analytics: Differences and ExamplesGuide / explainer · 9 min
- Business Analytics vs. Business IntelligenceComparison · 8 min
- Data-Driven Decision Making: A Framework for LeadersGuide / explainer · 8 min
- Analytics Maturity Model: Where Is Your Company Today?Guide / explainer · 8 min
- How to Build an Analytics RoadmapHow-to · 8 min
- Data Literacy for Executives: What Leaders Need to KnowGuide / explainer · 8 min
- Business Analytics for Small and Mid-Sized CompaniesGuide / explainer · 9 min
- How to Structure an Analytics TeamGuide / explainer · 9 min
- 10 Business Analytics Mistakes That Waste BudgetList / checklist post · 6 min
KPIs and metrics
- What Are KPIs? Definition, Examples, and How to Use ThemGuide / explainer · 9 min
- 25 Financial KPIs Every Finance Leader Should TrackList / checklist post · 6 min
- KPI vs. Metric: What's the Difference?Comparison · 8 min
- How to Choose KPIs That Drive DecisionsHow-to · 7 min
- KPI Scorecards: Design, Cadence, and OwnershipGuide / explainer · 7 min
- KPIs for CFOs: What to Put on Your DashboardList / checklist post · 7 min
- Operations KPIs for Supply Chain and Planning LeadersList / checklist post · 6 min
- Leading vs. Lagging Indicators in Business PerformanceGuide / explainer · 9 min
- OKRs vs. KPIs: How They Work TogetherComparison · 7 min
- KPI Tracking Template (Excel and Google Sheets)Template / download · 4 min
- KPI Examples by DepartmentList / checklist post · 6 min
- The Balanced Scorecard: A Practical GuideGuide / explainer · 9 min
ROI and measurement
- ROI Formula: How to Calculate Return on InvestmentFormula / metric explainer · 7 min
- How to Calculate ROI for a Business ProjectHow-to · 8 min
- ROI vs. ROAS: Which Metric Should You Use?Comparison · 8 min
- Marketing ROI: How to Measure It ProperlyHow-to · 8 min
- How to Calculate the ROI of a Software PurchaseHow-to · 7 min
- How to Measure the ROI of Analytics InvestmentsHow-to · 8 min
- Project ROI: A Template for Capital and Operating ProjectsHow-to · 8 min
- ROI vs. Payback Period: Choosing the Right LensComparison · 6 min
- Incremental ROI: Measuring What Spend Actually AddedGuide / explainer · 8 min
- Marketing Attribution Models ExplainedGuide / explainer · 8 min
- How to Track ROI Across DepartmentsHow-to · 8 min
- ROI Calculator Template (Excel and Google Sheets)Template / download · 4 min
- How to Write a Business Case With Credible ROIHow-to · 8 min
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: A Step-by-Step MethodHow-to · 7 min
Dashboards and BI tools
- Financial Dashboards: What to Show and What to SkipGuide / explainer · 8 min
- Executive Dashboard Examples for Finance and OperationsWorked example · 6 min
- Power BI vs. Tableau for Finance TeamsComparison · 7 min
- Best Business Intelligence Tools for Small and Mid-Sized BusinessesSoftware / tool roundup · 10 min
- Dashboard Design Best Practices for Finance TeamsList / checklist post · 5 min
- Data Visualization for Finance: Choosing the Right ChartGuide / explainer · 7 min
- How to Build an Excel DashboardHow-to · 7 min
- Looker Studio for Finance Reporting: A Starter GuideHow-to · 8 min
- Self-Service BI: Benefits, Risks, and GovernanceGuide / explainer · 8 min
- 9 Dashboard Mistakes That Make Data UnusableList / checklist post · 7 min
- KPI Dashboard Template (Excel and Google Sheets)Template / download · 5 min
- Real-Time vs. Batch Reporting: Which Does Your Team Need?Comparison · 8 min
Data and reporting
- Data Warehouses for Finance Teams: When You Need OneGuide / explainer · 8 min
- Data Quality: How to Measure and Improve ItGuide / explainer · 9 min
- Single Source of Truth: How to Build One for FinanceGuide / explainer · 7 min
- Data Governance Basics for Mid-Sized CompaniesGuide / explainer · 7 min
- ETL vs. ELT: What Finance and Ops Teams Should KnowComparison · 8 min
- How to Automate Financial ReportingHow-to · 8 min
- The Management Reporting Package: What to IncludeGuide / explainer · 9 min
- Monthly Management Report TemplateTemplate / download · 5 min
- How to Prepare Board Reporting PacksHow-to · 8 min
- Financial Reporting Automation ChecklistTemplate / download · 5 min
Predictive analytics and AI
- Predictive Analytics for Business: Use Cases and Getting StartedGuide / explainer · 9 min
- Machine Learning for Forecasting: When It Beats Simple ModelsGuide / explainer · 9 min
- AI in Finance: Practical Use Cases for Mid-Sized CompaniesGuide / explainer · 8 min
- AI in FP&A: What's Real, What's HypeGuide / explainer · 8 min
- Anomaly Detection in Finance DataGuide / explainer · 9 min
- How to Build a Customer Churn Prediction ModelHow-to · 8 min
- Analytics Automation: What to Automate FirstGuide / explainer · 9 min
- Python vs. Excel for Business AnalysisComparison · 7 min
- Statistical Forecasting in Excel: FORECAST.ETS and BeyondHow-to · 7 min
- When to Use Machine Learning vs. Simple Statistical ModelsGuide / explainer · 9 min
Analytics services and buying decisions
- How to Hire a Business Analytics ConsultantService-led page · 6 min
- How Much Does Analytics Consulting Cost?Guide / explainer · 9 min
- Build vs. Buy: Analytics Capabilities for Mid-Sized CompaniesComparison · 8 min
- Fractional Analytics Leader: When It Makes SenseService-led page · 6 min
- How to Run a BI ImplementationHow-to · 8 min
- Analytics Project Plan Template and TimelineTemplate / download · 5 min
- How to Select a BI VendorHow-to · 8 min
- Should You Outsource Analytics? Pros, Cons, and FitComparison · 7 min
- Analytics RFP TemplateTemplate / download · 5 min
- Analytics Case Study: From Spreadsheets to Decision-Ready ReportingCase study · 7 min
- Consultant vs. In-House Analyst: How to DecideComparison · 8 min
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