The Project Management Dashboard That Keeps Me on Track
Managing multiple projects can get overwhelming fast. Over the years, I’ve refined a system that keeps me on top of everything—my Project Management Dashboard. Whether you're a project manager, in program management, or juggling multiple responsibilities, this dashboard is a game-changer.
Why a Project Dashboard?
A project dashboard isn’t just a note-taking tool—it’s a structured system that helps track project status, decision points, budgets, and key action items. I’ve used this system across different roles, and it has been crucial for maintaining clarity and efficiency.
What’s in My Project Dashboard?
Each project is unique, so I customize my dashboard accordingly. However, the core structure always includes:
✔ Project Status – A high-level view of progress and key milestones.
✔ Decision Tracker – Keeps record of important choices and approvals.
✔ Action Item Tracker – Ensures follow-ups are assigned and completed.
✔ Budget Tracker – Tracks project financials against actual spending.
✔ Project Schedule – Helps identify overlapping deadlines.
✔ Critical Items List – Highlights urgent tasks that require attention.
✔ Links to Key Documents – Quick access to contracts, plans, and reports.
For larger projects, I integrate additional elements like site maps, org charts, and work breakdown structures.
How I Build My Dashboard
The tool you use doesn’t matter as much as the system itself. I switch between Excel and OneNote for flexibility. Some teams use Power BI for larger programs, but a simple spreadsheet is often enough to stay organized.
If you’re managing multiple projects, I recommend a high-level dashboard that includes:
A milestone-based schedule to identify resource conflicts.
A consolidated status report across projects.
A budget diagram comparing planned vs. actual spending.
Quick links to all project folders and documents.
Finding the Balance
The key is not over-engineering your dashboard. A complicated system can become a burden rather than a tool. The goal is to create a clear, actionable overview without excessive admin work.
Try It for Yourself
I’m making my project dashboard available for download! You can find it on my website here: Dashboard.
You can also check out my youtube video below where I go over my dashboard!
