Knowledge is Power

Introduction:

Understanding your important business data within Function Point is what gives you the power to grow. With BI Reporting, you can analyze data from across your entire FP system in one place. You also have the ability to customize reports, create report templates and choose how you want to visualize your data.

Watch us walk through the report in The New Business Intelligence Reporting Webinar. 

Standard Reports:

• To get you started, there are 26 built-in reports based popular use

• The original Function Point Reports you’re used to using are still available. Hover over the “Reports” drop-down in the main navigation bar and select “Standard Reports”

• To access BI Reporting, select BI Reports
  
  

Generate a Report:

• Select All in the left margin to view all available pre-defined reports under section “Standard Reports”. Your saved reports can also be found here under Saved Reports dropdown (explained in later section within this article).

• Select a report in the Choose a Report panel
• Select your report parameters in the Define Your Data column

Each dropdown field allows multiple selection. Select one at a time. The list will build up and appears like this:

• To remove your entry, click on x individually within a selection, or remove all on the x next to the dropdown arrow
• Leave all parameters blank to include everything. If you have been on the system for multiple years, this can be a big report, some delays may occur and restrictions may apply
• Select Continue at the bottom of the parameters
• How do you want to see your data? Select Table or Pivot Grid (also known as Pivot Table) in the “Pick a Visualization” column
• Select Table and choose which columns you don’t want to see by unchecking the blue box. Select Pivot Grid to pick and choose to shown as column or row
• Change your mind? You can always switch views and modify the data you have chosen

• Adjust Data dropdown will give the report parameters to modify. Click Apply to change the report setup.  

Navigating the Report:

Table View:
This view is ideal for presenting data in a 2-dimensional view in rows and columns.

1. Modify the parameters just like the previous page

2. Drag and drop columns to arrange how you want to view the data by holding down the click and drag to the ideal position

3. Sort by the selected column by clicking on the arrow left of the column or right-click the column header

4. Rename the column

5. To remove a column, use the eye icon on the left margin
   

6. Select the number of rows to view on one page in the number dropdown. Click the arrow beside the dropdown to scroll through the records.
   “of 61” is the total number of records in the report. In this example, there are 61 records within the report. Because the view is showing 100 rows, I can see all on one page
   
   
7. Looking for more? For premium users, Add New Columns feature allows you to add any related data field from Function Point into your report
   
   
   
8. Add a Calculated Column - create a column with a formula calculating over multiple columns within the report.
   
   
   
   1. Enter your choice of name for your calculated column and its format from the dropdown.
   2. Here, you are writing the formula for the calculation.
      Select the column to include in the first part of your equation
   3. Type in the Operator. On the right margin shows the available operators. As you create the formula, you will see an error message like this:
      
      The system is constantly performing a validation check. As an operator is added, the system sees it as an incomplete formula, hence giving an error. Just keep going!
      
   4. Repeat step 8-1 and 8-2 until your equation is complete
   5. You will see a message in green in your formula is correct

For premium users, don’t worry. Your work in #4 to #8 will not go to waste. There is a Save the report function for future use. Select Menu to Save the report. Make sure to use a unique name. Include your own description. The report is now available under “Saved Reports”

Pivot Grid:

This view is ideal to group or summarize data. The Pivot Grid provides a way to summarize the data by summing the selected data set and arrange them by choosing the data field to be in rows or columns.

For example,
I want to know a company’s YTD invoiced amounts.

1. Select any report listed. For the purpose of the example, select “Invoice Data Report” from Pre-Defined Reports list.
2. Filter the data to include on the report. If all data should be included, leave the field blank.
3. Select date range
4. Click Continue at the bottom of the page
5. Select Pivot Grid in the far right column
6. Click Build Report
7. In the new pop-up window, select the fields to include in the pivot grid report.
   
   
8. Expand Misc. menu, select Total and Balance and add to data in a similar fashion.
   
9. Click Confirm. The data can be adjusted even after the Grid is created.
10. To add more columns or fields, select the setup (first) icon under Options. This will bring up the pop-up window in the previous screen.
    
    
    
11. Select Menu at the top right corner, click Export to save this report in Excel. 
    Note: the export will reflect the current view. If the expectation is to see the grid all expanded, expand before exporting.
    Right-click on the dropdown arrow to expand or collapse all.
    
    
    
12. Click Refresh at the upper right corner to update the report with the most up-to-date data. This is a good idea if the report is generated during office hours while the current date is included in the report.
13. Save As to save this view for future uses. This report will be found in BI Report main page, Saved Reports list.
14. Hover over Exit to see 3 options.
15. Select New Report to bring you back to step 1
16. Back to Dashboard to go back to Function Point
17. Log out of FP to log out of Function Point completely