How to Set KPI Targets in AskBiz
Setting targets in AskBiz enables tracking, alerts, and AI-powered progress reports. Learn how to configure targets for your most important metrics.
Key Takeaways
- Set targets in your AskBiz dashboard for any metric in your connected data
- Once set, AskBiz tracks progress and alerts you when you are off-track
- Targets feed into your Business Pulse Score
- Review and update targets quarterly as your baseline changes
Why setting targets matters
In AskBiz, a metric without a target is just a number. When you set a target, AskBiz tracks progress toward it, includes it in your Business Pulse Score, can alert you when the metric moves off-track, and incorporates it into your AI-generated daily and weekly briefs. Targets transform AskBiz from a reporting tool into a performance management tool.
How to set a target
From your AskBiz dashboard, navigate to the metric you want to target — for example, gross margin in your Financial Intelligence dashboard. Click the metric card to expand it, then click Set Target. Enter your target value and the time period (monthly, quarterly, or annual). Select whether the target is a minimum threshold (you want the metric to stay above this) or a goal (you are working toward hitting this). Click Save Target.
Setting multiple targets
You can set targets on as many metrics as you like, but we recommend starting with your 5 to 10 most important KPIs rather than targeting everything. Overly proliferated targets can create noise — when everything is a target, it is harder to focus on what matters. AskBiz's Target Overview dashboard (Settings > Targets) shows all your active targets, their current status, and your progress-to-target for each.
Alerts when targets are missed
When you set a target, you can optionally enable an alert. Configure whether you want to be alerted by email, in-app notification, or both, and the threshold at which the alert triggers (e.g. alert me when I am more than 10% below target for 2 consecutive weeks). Alerts are designed to surface problems early — before they become crises — giving you time to investigate and respond.
Reviewing and updating targets
Targets should be reviewed at least quarterly. A target that was stretching in Q1 may be easily achieved by Q3 as you improve. A target set before a market shift may no longer be realistic after it. Go to Settings > Targets to review all active targets, see which have been consistently hit (and should be raised), and which have been consistently missed (and warrant investigation). AskBiz will also prompt you to review targets that have not been updated in 90 days.