Create a grants dashboard with high-level information for departmental staff

[atdservicebot]

Name

Jenny King

What application are you using?

Other / Not Sure

Describe the problem.

I would like to explore the feasibility of creating a grants dashboard with high-level information. Our department currently has 4 active grants, and with the re-org, we will be taking over the management of Public Works' grants as well. Additionally, we have a number of new grants in the works, expected to begin within the next few years. With the growth of the number of grants we manage, I'd like to explore the possibility of a dashboard so that project managers, executives, and other inquiring minds have a resource where that can access grant data. This will increase transparency around our grants, as well as be a business intelligence tool allowing our department to make better informed decisions around grants.

Describe the solution you have in mind.

PowerBI dashboard.

How will we know that our solution is successful?

Since this would be an informational tool, I think "interaction" would be a good measure of if it is successful - for example, are people using the tool, how often are people interacting with it, etc.

Users

Most likely Project Managers, Executives, Financial Managers, Finance Staff, and other departmental staff (specifically those involved in grants, as well as a consultant who tracks bond expenses).

Sponsorship

Dan Valbracht

Which Strategic Direction 2023 “Mobility” indicators would this new application impact?

['None']

Which Austin Strategic Mobility Plan goals would this new application support?

['None']

Describe any workarounds you currently have in place or alternative solutions you've considered.

I think a alternative solution would be to create a manual report using excel. Perhaps this is the best first step so that we can measure the level of engagement and then be able to determine if a dashboard would be helpful.

Is there anything else we should know?

n/a - not time sensitive

How have other divisions/departments/cities addressed similar challenges?

That is a good question - I would need to do more research on this and can reach out to a centralized grant contact to see if he is aware of what tools other departments utilize.

Requested By Jenny K.

Request ID: DTS23-108955

[mddilley]

@ChristinaTremel This came from the finance group so I've assigned to you, but let me know if this should go elsewhere. 🙏

[ChristinaTremel]

To me is perfect @mddilley! I'll scope it out a little more with Jenny before bringing it to Data Science. 🕵🏼

[ChristinaTremel]

Checked in with Jenny about this issue:

Hey Jenny! I'm going to set up a quick time for us to chat about your request for a grants dashboard. I was wondering if I should include anyone else from Finance?

She followed up:

Hi Christina! I hope you're doing well would it be okay if we hold off on the grant dashboard? I was thinking it over and filling out that questionnaire really got me thinking about alternatives, audience, etc.. and I want to "test the waters" with a good old-fashioned excel report first to get an idea of if it's useful, and to how many people, etc., before asking you/your team to devote time and energy to creating a dashboard.

Going to icebox this issue and I let Jenny know to reach out if/when she wants us to move forward with scoping this request.