Reporting Package Design
Our reporting package design focuses on clarity and consistency. We utilize the DHAC diagram and a standardized colour scheme which allows you to easily identify which information is being presented.
Colour Scheme
In order to easily identify the information being presented, we follow a consistent colour scheme:
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Historical = Grey
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Current Month Actual = Blue
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Forecast = Yellow
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Budget = Brown
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Favourable Variance = Green
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Unfavourable Variance = Red
This colour scheme is built into all of our visuals in a consistent manner. This is especially important when viewing full year balances to easily identify which part of the balances is coming from the past, current month, and future time periods.
DHAC Diagram
The diagram is used on each view of the reporting package and allows the user to easily see what balance is being presented and what it is being compared to.
Left Side = Balance
Right Site = Comparative
The colours are as per the colour scheme explained above.
After going though a few monthly meeting with DHAC, the use of the diagram will become second nature and allow the audience to quickly see which information is being presented in each FP&A view.
Interconnectedness (Right Side)
Same Balance / Different Comparative
Identifies all other views in the reporting package that present the same balance, but against a different comparative. In practice, this is most commonly used when the reader is interested in the view being presented, but is looking for more context.
Same Balance / Same Comparative / Different View
Identifies all other views in the reporting package that presents the exact same information, but using a different visualization. This is most commonly used to toggle between views that do / do not have a monthly trend, that break down the balances presented in different ways, or that simply present the information using a different visual.
Roll Up
Identifies all other views in the reporting package that present a parent account of the view being presented. For example a view that presents a specific revenue account, would have a roll up view of Total Revenue. This is most commonly used for ease of navigation during the review meeting, or in the case of more complex views, to see how the view supports the higher-level objectives of the reporting package.
Drill Down
Identifies all other views in the reporting package that present a child account of the view being presented. For example a view that presents Total Revenue, would have drill down views of specific revenue accounts. This is most commonly used to provide additional detail to explain the view.
Underlying Data
By default, this section will show: the balance being presented, breakdown by account, and the monthly trend. If requested, DHAC can customize this section to show more, less or different information in this section. If it is required to review the data in the underlying data section at the review meeting, the client staff member would normally present this data, as it is usually the lowest level financial information available, in the exact same format as the data submitted to DHAC. This is mostly commonly used at the review meeting when more detail is required than what is presented in the visual. It also represents the line between which information DHAC is responsible to explain (data in the visual), and which must be explained by the client staff (data in the underlying data).
Consistent Design of the Reporting Package and Structure of the Review Meeting
On each view, you will see a consistent layout to present the balance, any comparatives, and any variances in the same location.
Also, the reporting package will present in a consistent manner each month:
The highlights section which allows the audience to know in advance which views that DHAC has determined to be the most meaningful for that month and therefore what will be presented at the meeting.
If the client would like to discuss views that DHAC did not consider to be a highlight, they will still have the opportunity to do so at the appropriate time in the review meeting.
An agenda with suggested time limits to keep the meeting on schedule.
