We have data, but nobody trusts it. Where should we start?
Unreliable reporting foundationsSelect consequential measures and trace their data lineage, definitions, and update process. Rebuild trust through reproducible evidence and visible corrections rather than a new visual design.
What to do now
- Choose a disputed important measure
- Trace it to source records
- Resolve definition and quality problems
- Publish ownership and correction rules
When to escalate
Escalate when
Unreliable data drives high-stakes decisions.
Who decides
The metric owner and relevant decision maker
Example
A budget measure is reconciled to approved commitments and actual costs before the dashboard is redesigned.
Mistake to avoid
Replacing charts while leaving inconsistent source data untouched.
Prevent a repeat
Check data freshness and meaning, and verify that the measure improves decisions rather than encouraging cosmetic progress.
Suggested ApprovedFlow setup
- Projects
- Tasks
- Timesheets
- Documents
Use the underlying named records and evidence when explaining a metric; validate any dashboard behavior against the current implementation. See the platform
Related cases
- How do we detect vanity metrics in project reporting?Metrics without decision value
- How do we show uncertainty in a dashboard?False precision
- The sponsor asks for a ten-percent cut. Where should we start?Undifferentiated budget reduction
- Nobody knows which assumptions the plan depends on. Where do we begin?Invisible planning assumptions