Interpreting Dashboard Findings

Estimated time: 25 minutes

A dashboard is not the final answer. It is a tool that helps you investigate a question.

5.6.1 Describe what you see

If reporting completeness declined from 95% in January to 80% in March, the descriptive finding is: reporting completeness decreased by 15 percentage points between January and March. That is a statement about the observed figures.

5.6.2 Avoid unsupported explanations

Do not write that completeness fell because staff became less committed. The figures do not establish that. Possible causes include staff shortages, changes in reporting requirements, technical problems, missing reports, and changes in the number of expected reporting units. Each needs investigation.

5.6.3 Distinguish percentage changes from percentage-point changes

If completeness changes from 80% to 90%, the difference is 10 percentage points. The relative increase is (90 − 80) ÷ 80 × 100 = 12.5%. These are different measures. Say which one you are using.

5.6.4 Ask follow-up questions

Is the dataset complete?
Did the indicator definition change?
Is the comparison period appropriate?
Are the facilities comparable?
What else might explain the pattern?
Does the finding require urgent investigation?

5.6.5 Use a structured interpretation method

Observation

Reporting completeness declined from 95% to 80%.

Interpretation

Fewer expected reports were received in the later period.

Limitation

The figures do not explain why the decline occurred.

Next step

Review missing reports, confirm expected reporting units, and look at facility-level patterns.

Separate observed findings from possible explanations, and make the limitations clear.