Power BI
Building a Power BI KPI dashboard
A KPI dashboard fails for one of two reasons: the metrics do not map to decisions, or the definitions are ambiguous. Both are fixable before you open a single visual.
Updated September 20, 2026
Pick fewer, sharper KPIs
Six to nine KPIs is enough for most functions. Each one needs a name, a formula, a grain, an owner and a target. Without a target, a KPI is just a number on a screen.
Define each KPI in one row
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Name | Net revenue retention |
| Formula | (Starting ARR + expansion − contraction − churn) / Starting ARR |
| Grain | Monthly, by customer cohort |
| Target | ≥ 105% |
| Owner | Head of Revenue |
Card design
- Show the current value, the comparison period and the direction
- Colour by whether the movement is good, not by whether it is up
- Keep card order stable so people build muscle memory
Frequently asked questions
How do I pick KPIs for a new dashboard?
Start from the decisions your team makes weekly, then work backwards to the smallest set of measures that would change those decisions. The KPI generator drafts a candidate set you can edit.
Related reading
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