What are the best tools or methods to track and communicate KPIs for remote or hybrid teams?

An analogy I really like to use is the car cluster. A modern car has a million things that can be measured and tracked. But the cluster is still quite clean and focuses on a few things that are key while driving. Speed, fuel, oil temperature. These are metrics that allow us to track progress pace, resources left and confirm our operations are sustainable. These are usually good KPIs to begin with!

Selecting the right KPIs is not merely a task; it's a strategic investment in the success of remote and hybrid teams. As an international program manager working on a program with ROK-US stakeholders, selecting the right KPIs remains crucial for aligning our global project team towards a common goal. By involving team members from both countries in the KPI development process, we were able to identify metrics that were relevant to both cultures and work styles, ensuring that everyone was on the same page and working towards achieving the project objectives. This collaborative approach not only fostered a sense of ownership and engagement but also led to a more effective and efficient project execution.

For tracking and communicating KPIs in remote or hybrid teams, tools like Trello and Asana are excellent for task management and visualizing progress. Slack and Microsoft Teams facilitate real-time communication and regular updates. Power BI and Tableau offer robust data visualization for detailed KPI tracking. Google Data Studio is great for creating shareable reports. 15Five helps in setting goals and tracking performance with weekly check-ins. Regular video meetings via Zoom or Google Meet ensure alignment. Combining these tools can create a comprehensive system for effective KPI management and communication.

For remote or hybrid teams, leveraging tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com can help track KPIs in real-time. Regular check-ins and transparent dashboards also provide a clear overview of progress. Open communication channels like Slack or Microsoft Teams are vital for staying aligned and addressing issues promptly.

So, it is clear tools are now a commodity, that is why I choose to focus on data quality and freshness. It doesn’t matter if you have the fanciest animations or visuals if your data is not reliable or timely. My advice here is any tool should do, focus on data quality, and make sure you analyze and determine the right timing for your data refresh. Don’t go for real-time if it’s not needed, and don’t settle for older data tha the one you need

I totally agree it’s the frequent joint review of metrics. These can be interpreted in many ways and it is important that the team understands data in the same way and the why behind the measures. This also allows for joint data driven decision making.

After some time measuring, you will be able to understand the teams performance baseline. This will also allow to identify outstanding performance, this has to be recognized and if possible rewarded regardless of the team being virtual or not. On the other hand, you can also identify poor performance and take action, hence the importance not only of KPIs but also of the understanding of their meaning and the data behind them.

As usual, the issue is not calculating KPIs or visualizing data but finding the right ones. This is another case of 100 nos for every yes. Take time to identify your team goals, this is the big battle. If you have this clearly determined, you will be able to determine your metrics easily. On the other hand, if you don’t have a clean cut set of goals, all KPIs will like useful or valuable.