KPI dashboards in SCADA systems - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a KPI dashboard?

A KPI dashboard is a visual tool that shows key performance indicators clearly and simply. It helps users quickly see how well a process or system is doing.

beginner

Name three common KPIs used in SCADA systems.

Common KPIs in SCADA include uptime percentage, mean time to repair (MTTR), and production output rate.

beginner

Why should KPI dashboards use simple visuals like gauges or bar charts?

Simple visuals make it easy to understand data quickly, even for people who are not technical. They highlight important information without clutter.

intermediate

How does real-time data improve KPI dashboards in SCADA systems?

Real-time data lets users see current system status instantly. This helps catch problems early and make faster decisions.

intermediate

What is the benefit of grouping related KPIs together on a dashboard?

Grouping related KPIs helps users understand how different parts of the system affect each other. It creates a clearer story from the data.

Which of these is NOT a typical KPI for SCADA dashboards?

A Mean time to repair

B Number of social media followers

C Uptime percentage

D Production output rate

Social media followers are unrelated to SCADA system performance and are not used as KPIs in this context.

What is the main purpose of a KPI dashboard?

A To show key metrics clearly for quick decisions

B To display detailed raw data logs

C To replace all reports

D To store historical data only

KPI dashboards focus on showing important metrics clearly to help users make quick decisions.

Which visual is best for showing progress toward a target on a KPI dashboard?

A Gauge

B Pie chart

C Scatter plot

D Line graph

Gauges clearly show progress toward a goal, making them ideal for KPIs with targets.

Why is real-time data important in SCADA KPI dashboards?

A It makes dashboards look colorful

B It slows down system performance

C It reduces data storage needs

D It helps detect issues quickly

Real-time data allows users to spot problems as they happen and respond faster.

What should you avoid when designing a KPI dashboard?

A Using simple, clear visuals

B Grouping related KPIs

C Overloading with too many metrics

D Updating data regularly

Too many metrics can overwhelm users and hide important information.

Explain what a KPI dashboard is and why it is useful in SCADA systems.

Think about how operators use dashboards to watch system health.

Describe best practices for designing an effective KPI dashboard.

Imagine you are making a dashboard for a busy control room.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a KPI dashboard in a SCADA system?

easy

A. To generate detailed reports for auditors

B. To store raw sensor data for later analysis

C. To control machine operations automatically

D. To display key performance indicators clearly and quickly

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of KPI dashboards

   KPI dashboards focus on showing important numbers that reflect system performance.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other SCADA functions

   Storing data, controlling machines, and generating reports are different tasks from displaying KPIs.

3. Final Answer:

   To display key performance indicators clearly and quickly -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   KPI dashboard = clear key numbers [OK]

Hint: KPI dashboards show key numbers fast and clear [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing dashboards with data storage
• Thinking dashboards control machines
• Mixing dashboards with report generation

2. Which of the following is the correct way to highlight a KPI value that is below target using color in a dashboard?

easy

A. Use red color for values below target

B. Use yellow color for values below target

C. Use blue color for values below target

D. Use green color for values below target

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand color conventions in KPI dashboards

   Red usually signals a problem or below target performance.

2. Step 2: Match color to KPI status

   Green means good, red means bad, so below target should be red.

3. Final Answer:

   Use red color for values below target -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Below target = red color [OK]

Hint: Red means below target or problem [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using green for bad performance
• Choosing blue which is neutral
• Using yellow which means caution, not failure

3. Given a SCADA KPI dashboard showing machine uptime percentages: Machine A = 95%, Machine B = 88%, Machine C = 92%. If the target uptime is 90%, which machines should be highlighted in red?

medium

A. Machine B only

B. Machine A and Machine C

C. Machine A only

D. Machine B and Machine C

Solution

1. Step 1: Compare each machine's uptime to the target

   Machine A: 95% > 90% (above target), Machine B: 88% < 90% (below target), Machine C: 92% > 90% (above target).

2. Step 2: Identify which machines are below target

   Only Machine B is below the 90% target and should be highlighted in red.

3. Final Answer:

   Machine B only -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Below 90% uptime = red highlight [OK]

Hint: Highlight only below target values in red [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Highlighting machines above target
• Including machines that meet or exceed target
• Ignoring the target threshold

4. You created a KPI dashboard but the color coding does not change when values go below target. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The data source is missing some sensor readings

B. The dashboard layout is too complex

C. The color rules are not linked to the KPI values correctly

D. The target values are set too high

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the color coding logic

   If colors do not change, the rules linking KPI values to colors are likely not set or connected properly.

2. Step 2: Rule out other causes

   Layout complexity or missing data won't directly stop color changes; target values affect performance but not color logic.

3. Final Answer:

   The color rules are not linked to the KPI values correctly -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Color rules linked properly = color changes [OK]

Hint: Check color rule connections first when colors don't update [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Blaming layout instead of logic
• Assuming missing data causes color issues
• Thinking target values affect color coding directly

5. You want to design a KPI dashboard for a SCADA system that shows temperature, pressure, and flow rate KPIs. Which layout approach best supports quick understanding?

hard

A. Display all raw sensor data in a large table with no colors

B. Arrange KPIs in a simple grid with clear labels and color-coded status

C. Show only the average values without any target or color indicators

D. Use multiple pages with detailed charts for each KPI

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify best practices for KPI dashboard layout

   Simple grids with clear labels and color coding help users quickly see status and compare KPIs.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Raw data tables, averages without targets, or multi-page charts reduce clarity and speed of understanding.

3. Final Answer:

   Arrange KPIs in a simple grid with clear labels and color-coded status -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Simple, clear, color-coded layout = fast understanding [OK]

Hint: Use simple grids and colors for fast KPI reading [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Showing raw data instead of KPIs
• Omitting targets and colors
• Splitting KPIs across many pages