PerformancePoint Services glossary

 

Applies to: SharePoint Server 2010, PerformancePoint Services

This glossary contains terminology for all the servers, applications, and tools that are part of PerformancePoint Services in Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010.

Terms

Term Definition

ActiveX Data Objects MultiDimensional.NET

A .NET managed data provider that provides access to multidimensional data sources, such as Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services.

actual value

The value for a key performance indicator (KPI). This value is measured against a pre-determined target value for the KPI.

ADOMD.NET

See Other Term: ActiveX Data Objects MultiDimensional.NET

aggregate

A single value that is composed of multiple values. For KPIs, aggregation determines the mathematical formula that is used to combine members (SUM, AVERAGE, and so on).

analytic chart

A report type that displays cube data in a visual, interactive chart format.

analytic grid

A report type that displays cube data in a visual, interactive tabular format.

average weighted

A type of rollup. It indicates an average that considers the weighted value of all child KPIs. This rollup reflects overall performance.

balanced scorecard

A business oriented scorecard that conveys key metrics related to the service and business of providing service. A balanced scorecard contains a balance of operational, financial, and quality driven metrics.

balanced scorecard methodology

A scorecard system that adheres to the framework and components established by the Balanced Scorecard Collaborative.

banding

The use of bands to represent ranges of performance based on thresholds.

banding settings

A setting that defines thresholds, or boundaries between changes in indicator status.

bulk edit

A procedure by which a user can simultaneously change specified properties for a group of selected items.

cache interval

The length of time that a stored copy of the views that are shown in a dashboard can exist on the server.

calculated metric

A metric that is based on the result of an expression, rather than originating from a data source.

Calculated Metrics

A feature that enables users to create simple calculations by using one or more KPI values. This reduces the amount of MDX that is required to create complex scorecards.

centered indicator

The indicator set that can be used when the "closer to target" scoring pattern is selected when you edit the band settings.

collapse

An analysis tool, similar to drill up, that displays less detail about an item while maintaining the current display of other items.

cube

A set of data that is organized and summarized into a multidimensional structure that is defined by a set of dimensions and measures.

custom table

A type of filter that enables users to choose from a list and then drive dashboard content from multiple data sources.

customized scorecard

A scorecard that is created without using a template.

dashboard

A related group of interactive scorecard and report views that are organized together in a SharePoint or Web-hosted site. Dashboard elements may share common filters that control the data displayed within the elements.

Dashboard Designer

See Other Term: PerformancePoint Dashboard Designer

data source

A source of business data used by PerformancePoint applications. PerformancePoint data sources may include cubes or data source views (DSV) based on online analytical processing (OLAP) cubes, relational databases, CSV files, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, or any other Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) or multidimensional (ADOMD.NET) data source.

data source formatting

A type of conditional formatting that is configured within Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services. It causes individual cells to be highlighted when certain conditions, based on business rules, are met. For example, if Gross Margin is over 28%, the cell is shown with a green background. Known as "OLAP Server Formatting" in Excel.

Decomposition Tree

A data visualization tool that helps users analyze complex information using a hierarchical scheme. The Decomposition Tree can help users find the root cause that is driving a value. For example, if sales in Canada are poor in March, the Decomposition Tree will help determine whether that is being driven by a particular product line, a certain sales territory, or an increase in returns.

deploy

To create a SharePoint page from a PerformancePoint dashboard so that users can access it.

dimension

A structural attribute of a cube that organizes data into levels. For example, a Geography dimension might include the members Country, Region, State or Province, and City.

display item

A folder into which attributes, measures, calculated members, KPIs, and PerformancePoint items can be organized to facilitate browsing by users.

drill down/drill up

A technique for navigating through levels of data ranging from the most summarized (up) to the most detailed (down). For example, when viewing the details of sales data by year, a user can drill down to display sales data by quarter, and further to display data by month.

filter

A control that is added to a dashboard or dashboard content so that users can modify the view. With this control, users can view a subset of data that is displayed in reports and scorecards that are returned by their corresponding data sources.

filter link

An association between a filter control and a parameter. This association is defined on a report or scorecard in a dashboard. Items with links to a filter change when the filter is modified.

Filter Web Part

A feature that enables users to modify dashboard views by changing the subset of data that is displayed in reports or scorecards.

fixed value

A user-entered value or a static value from an Excel spreadsheet that does not change unless manually altered by the user. Contrast this with dynamic values that are queried from a SQL Server database, OLAP cube, or other data source.

formatting dimension

The dimension (usually "Measures") that numeric formatting is applied to. Some cubes use a Scenario dimension that is more desirable for numeric formatting.

hierarchy

1. A logical tree structure that organizes the members of a dimension such that each member has one parent member and zero or more child members. 2. A logical tree structure that organizes the members of a set into parent-child relationships. A ranked structure with a top level and subordinate levels.

hierarchy level

In a hierarchy, members are classified into levels (branches). Leaf level is the bottom level in the hierarchy. In a Time dimension, levels can also have names associated with them. For example, in a [Time] dimension, leaf level can represent Months and level above -- Years.

import

To bring information from one system or program into another. The system or program receiving the data must somehow support the internal format or structure of the data.

indicator

A set of graphics, text, and colors for defining different levels of performance when comparing an actual value and a target value within a KPI.

indicator count

A type of rollup. It gives the total numbers of indicators in the tree below it, rolled up according to status

Internet Protocol Security (IPsec)

A set of industry-standard, cryptography-based protection services and protocols. IPSec protects all protocols in the TCP/IP protocol suite and Internet communications by using Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP).

IPsec

See Other Term: Internet Protocol Security (IPsec)

key performance indicator (KPI)

A predefined measure that is used to track performance of a strategic goal, objective, plan, initiative, or business process. A KPI is evaluated against a target. An explicit and measurable value taken directly from a data source. Key performance indicators (KPIs) are used to measure performance in a specific area, for example, revenue per customer.

KPI

See Other Term: key performance indicator (KPI)

KPI details report

A report type that shows information about a KPI that is selected in a scorecard.

level

A degree of granularity in hierarchies. Levels enable you to view data in various degrees of detail. The Time dimension, for example, can have the levels Year, Quarter, Month, and Day.

list

A Web site component that stores and displays information that users can add to by using their browsers. For PerformancePoint Services, the site requires a Web server that is running Microsoft SharePoint Server.

MDX

See Other Term: multidimensional expression (MDX)

MDX formula

The online analytical processing (OLAP) equivalent of an SQL query.

measure

A quantified value that is indicative of the size, quantity, scale, importance, or extent of something important to an organization.

measure group

A collection of related measures in an Analysis Services cube. The measures are generally from the same fact table.

member

A single position or item in a dimension. The Account dimension, for example, could have a dimension member called Travel Expenses. Dimension members can be user-defined or predefined and can have properties associated with them. See dimension member property for details.

metadata

Information about the properties of data, such as the type of data in a column (numeric, text, and so on) or the length of a column. It can also be information about the structure of data or information that specifies the design of objects such as cubes or dimensions.

metric

An actual or target value of a KPI. A metric may be used as a scorecard element.

Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies

A set of products and technologies that allow users in an organization to create, manage, and build their own collaborative Web sites and make them available throughout their organizations. These products and technologies include SharePoint Portal Server for portal sites and Windows SharePoint Services for team sites.

Microsoft XML Core Services (MSXML)

Technology that allows users to build high-performance XML-based applications that provide interoperability with other applications that adhere to the XML 1.0 standard.

MSXML

See Other Term: Microsoft XML Core Services (MSXML)

multidimensional expression (MDX)

A language for querying and manipulating data in multidimensional objects (OLAP cubes).

named set

A grouping of dimension members or items from a data source that are named and treated as a single unit and can be referenced or reused multiple times.

objective

A group of key performance indicators (KPIs) that correspond to the functional areas or strategic initiatives of an organization.

objective KPI

A KPI that derives its target value and score from a rollup of its child KPIs. Objective KPIs do not have actual values and do not connect to external data sources. They indicate performance by showing a normalized aggregation of the KPIs one level below them in the scorecard.

ODBC

See Other Term: Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)

OLAP

See Other Term: online analytical processing (OLAP)

OLAP cube

See Other Term: cube

online analytical processing (OLAP)

A technology that uses multidimensional structures to provide rapid access to data for analysis. The source data for OLAP is commonly stored in data warehouses in a relational database.

Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)

An application programming interface (API) that enables database applications to access data from a variety of existing data sources.

parameter

A field defined on a dashboard item that can receive data from a filter control. Data supplied to this field modifies content that is displayed in the dashboard scorecard or report.

PerformancePoint Content List

A list that stores the elements that are used to construct a PerformancePoint dashboard. A PerformancePoint dashboard is a related group of interactive scorecards, filters, and report views that are organized together into a set of Web pages.

PerformancePoint Dashboard Designer

A client application that you use to create and manage dashboards, scorecards, reports, and other PerformancePoint items prior to deploying them within a dashboard to a SharePoint site.

PerformancePoint Data Connections Library

A SharePoint document library that may contain Office Data Connections (ODC), Universal Data Connection (UDC) files, and PerformancePoint data connections. Data connections identify a source of business data that may include cubes or perspectives that are based on online analytical processing (OLAP) cubes, relational databases, CSV files, Microsoft Excel Services spreadsheets, or other data sources.

PerformancePoint PowerShell Cmdlet

A task-oriented command that is used in the Windows PowerShell environment. Or A small, basic command, named in the form "verb-noun'" and implemented as a .NET class that derives from a base cmdlet class. Examples: get-process, new-drive.

PerformancePoint Server

See Other Term: PerformancePoint Services in Microsoft SharePoint Server

PerformancePoint Service

The SharePoint service application that enables dashboarding capabilities by means of scorecards, analytic grids and charts, and other decision-making tools for the enterprise.

PerformancePoint Service application

The PerformancePoint component that runs as a SharePoint shared service. It is one of many service applications that plug into SharePoint. Other examples include Excel Services, Search Service, and Visio Graphics Service.

PerformancePoint Service application proxy

The PerformancePoint Web Front End (WFE) service interface. It abstracts the communication layer between WFE components and the service application.

PerformancePoint Services

See Other Term: PerformancePoint Services in Microsoft SharePoint Server

PerformancePoint Services Central Administration

A collection of SharePoint administration pages that the administrator can use to configure PerformancePoint Services for SharePoint.

PerformancePoint Services in Microsoft SharePoint Server

A collection of services for Microsoft SharePoint Server that enables users to monitor organizational goals, to analyze performance information through up-to-date content and context-rich dashboards and scorecards, and to use that information to make business decisions. These capabilities were formerly part of the PerformancePoint Server product.

PerformancePoint Settings Database

A PerformancePoint-specific database that stores the annotations for each dashboard element, user-based filter selections, and other information about dashboard elements.

PerformancePoint trusted location

A location within Microsoft SharePoint Server from which dashboard content can run. The default is to trust all locations.The PerformancePoint Services administrator must change it to make it more restrictive.

PerformancePoint Web Parts

Functionality in PerformancePoint Services that makes it possible to display dashboard views that are defined in Dashboard Designer to users of a SharePoint site.

PerformancePoint Web Services

A collection of Web services that determines how PerformancePoint Services operates.

pie chart

A round chart that shows the size of items in a single data series, proportional to the sum of the items.

refresh

The activity of synchronizing dashboards and dashboard elements between the local workspace and PerformancePoint Services in Microsoft SharePoint Server.

relational database

A database or database management system that stores information in tables. In conducting searches, a relational database matches information from a field in one table with information in a corresponding field of another table to produce a third table that combines requested data from both tables.

report

A visual display of data in a dashboard that can be coordinated with other report views by using filters. Reports include analytic grids and charts, KPI details, Excel Services spreadsheets, SQL Server Reporting Services reports, strategy maps, ProClarity Analytics Server reports, and Web pages.

report view group

Reports that are grouped together in a single dashboard zone. These reports can be conditionally shown, based on the selected KPI.

Report Web Part

A feature that allows users to view and interact with reports that are created in PerformancePoint Dashboard Designer.

Reporting Services report

A report type that acts as a wrapper for a SQL Server Reporting Services report so that the Reporting Services report can be displayed in a PerformancePoint dashboard.

ribbon

The ribbon is part of the Microsoft Office Fluent user interface (UI). In Dashboard Designer, It consists of contextual tools for creating, editing, and exporting dashboards and their elements.

rollup

The calculated value of a KPI is derived from the aggregated scores of child or descendant KPIs.

scorecard

A report type that depicts organizational performance by displaying a collection of key performance indicators (KPIs) together with performance targets for those KPIs. A scorecard can be organized hierarchically.

scorecard element

Any one of the individual components of a scorecard, such as key performance indicators (KPIs), members, properties, actuals, targets, or MDX expressions.

Scorecard Web Part

A feature that enables users to view and interact with scorecards that are created in PerformancePoint Dashboard Designer.

SharePoint Products and Technologies

See Other Term: Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies

Stack Selector Web Part

A feature that enables users to show more than one view in a single location on a dashboard, and provides a control to switch between them.

standard indicator

An indicator set that can be used when either the "increasing is better" or "decreasing is better" scoring patterns are selected when you edit the band settings.

strategy map

A performance management tool for visually presenting an organization's or organizational unit's objectives and goals, their groupings of objectives and goals, and their mappings of objectives and goals to themes, initiatives, KPIs, targets, business processes, and action plans. Each item in the visualization contains a set of metadata, which itself is customizable.

target

As one aspect of a KPI, a target is the desired level of performance with respect to a specific business goal or strategy. Actual values are evaluated against the target to determine KPI score and status.

time dimension

A dimension that breaks time down into levels such as Year, Quarter, Month, and Day. In Analysis Services, a special type of dimension created from a date/time column.

time formula

An expression that is created following the Simple Time Period Syntax. It takes the form of a time unit plus or minus a whole number, such as Year-1 or Month-6. It is the formula that is applied when you are using time intelligence on a dashboard.

time intelligence filter

A dynamic dashboard filter that can be linked to scorecards and reports so that they will update automatically relative to the current time.

unattended service account

The security account that is used when a data source is configured to connect as a single shared identity for all users.

update

To retrieve the most current data from the data source that is associated with a scorecard.

validate

To ensure that all data sources that are used by a KPI or scorecard are available.

variance

The difference between two values, such as the difference between estimated and actual expenses.

Web page report view

A report type that contains a Web page.

Web Part

Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies functionality that is the basic building block for a page on a SharePoint site. A modular unit of information that consists of a title bar, a frame, and content.

Web Part description file (.dwp)

An .xml file that defines the default property settings for a Web Part, including references to other files that are required to run and display the part.

weight

The value of a scorecard KPI in relation to the values of other KPIs. For example, you might have an objective with two key performance indicators (KPIs), the first with a weight of one and the second with a weight of three. This means that the second KPI is three times more important than the first. The weights that are assigned to the KPIs are part of the calculation when their values are rolled up to derive the value for their parent objective.

what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG)

pronounced wizzywig. Allowing a user to view a document as it will appear in the final product, and to directly edit the text, graphics, or other elements within that view. A WYSIWYG language is often easier to use than a markup language, which provides no immediate visual feedback regarding the changes being made. Compare markup language. A type of program that allows creation and editing of web pages, text, or graphical user interfaces so that users can see what the end results will look like while the documents are being created.

workspace

The user interface area in Dashboard Designer that contains the dashboard items that are being edited by a user. The contents of the workspace can be saved as a file with a .ddwx extension.

worst indicator

A type of rollup of child KPIs. It moves the indicator of the lowest performing KPI to the objective KPI row.

WYSIWYG

See Other Term: what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG)