Unit 5: Applications of HR Metrics and Creating HR Dashboards

HR Metrics

What are HR metrics?

HR metrics are quantitative measurements used to track and assess the efficiency and effectiveness of various human resource functions.

📌 Key HR Metrics Examples

Applications of HR Metrics

Creating HR Dashboards

HR Dashboards visually display real-time HR metrics for quick analysis and strategic decision-making.

Key Components

• Charts, graphs, and KPIs
• Interactive filters (by department, location, etc.)

Trend analysis tools

• Excel / Google Sheets
• Power BI
• Tableau
• HR software (Zoho People, BambooHR)

HR Metrics provide data-driven insights to optimize HR operations, while HR Dashboards help visualize and communicate that data for strategic planning.

Types of HR Metrics

HR Metrics are classified into various categories based on different HR functions. Below are the major types:

1. Staffing Metrics (Recruitment & Hiring)

These metrics help measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the hiring process.

2. Training and Development Metrics

These metrics evaluate the impact of employee learning and development programs.

3. Other Key HR Metric Categories

• Staffing Metrics focus on hiring efficiency and quality.
• Training Metrics measure the success and ROI of development programs.
• Together, these metrics help HR align strategies with organizational goals.

Dashboards: Application-Oriented Exercises in Excel

Excel dashboards are powerful tools to visualize HR metrics, financial data, or any business insights. To create interactive and dynamic dashboards, Excel offers several add-ins, functions, and features.

Key Excel Add-ins/Functions for Creating Dashboards

Application-Oriented Exercises (Examples)

Create an Employee Attendance Dashboard:

• Use PivotTable to summarize monthly absences
• Add Slicers to filter by department or employee
• Build a Recruitment Tracker:
• Use Form Controls to select time periods
• Apply Conditional Formatting to show overdue applications

Training Dashboard Example

• Use Name Ranges for selecting training programs
• Insert Drop-down lists (Data Validation) to choose departments

Performance Scorecard

• Display top/bottom performers using Sparkline charts
• Add Scroll bars from Form Controls to switch between employees

🛠️ How to Enable Developer Tab in Excel

• Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon
• Check the box for Developer
• Click OK
• You will now see the Developer tab on the ribbon.

Using Excel functions and controls, you can create interactive, real-time dashboards that support strategic decision-making. Practicing these tools strengthens your analytical and reporting skills.

Important Excel Formulas for Dashboards

These formulas help automate data analysis, enhance interactivity, and summarize large data sets efficiently.

1. VLOOKUP

Searches for a value in the first column of a table and returns data from another column in the same row.

Formula: =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

Example:

=VLOOKUP("101", A2:D10, 2, FALSE)

→ Looks up ID 101 and returns the value from column 2.

Use in Dashboards

• Fetch employee name by ID
• Get product price or department name automatically

2. INDEX

Returns the value at a specific row and column within a range.

Formula: =INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num])

Example:

=INDEX(A2:C5, 2, 3)

→ Returns the value in the 2nd row, 3rd column of the range.

Use in Dashboards

• Dynamic value lookups with MATCH
• More flexible than VLOOKUP for complex data

3. SUMIF

Adds values that meet a specified condition.

Formula: =SUMIF(range, criteria, [sum_range])

Example:

=SUMIF(A2:A10, "HR", B2:B10)

→ Sums values in B2:B10 where A2:A10 = "HR"

Use in Dashboards

• Total salary by department
• Sum of sales for a specific region

4. AVERAGEIF

Calculates the average of values that meet a specific condition.

Formula:=AVERAGEIF(range, criteria, [average_range])

Example:

=AVERAGEIF(A2:A10, "Finance", B2:B10)

→ Averages values in B2:B10 where A2:A10 = "Finance"

Use in Dashboards

• Average performance scores
• Average sales per region or product

5. COUNTIF

Counts the number of cells that meet a condition.

Formula: =COUNTIF(range, criteria)

Example:

=COUNTIF(A2:A10, "Marketing")

→ Counts how many times "Marketing" appears in the range.

Use in Dashboards

• Count employees in each department
• Count overdue tasks or absences

🧩 Combined Usage for Dynamic Dashboards

Mastering these core formulas—VLOOKUP, INDEX, SUMIF, AVERAGEIF, and COUNTIF—enables you to build dynamic, automated dashboards that offer real-time insights and save hours of manual work.

Application of Excel Functions in Creating HR Dashboards

Excel dashboards help HR professionals track key metrics like employee performance, recruitment, training, absenteeism, and more. Excel’s built-in formulas and functions make dashboards dynamic, accurate, and easy to update.

Key Excel Functions and Their Application in HR Dashboards

Examples of HR Dashboards Using Excel Functions

Recruitment Dashboard

• VLOOKUP to get candidate details
• COUNTIF to show number of applications per job role

Training Dashboard

• AVERAGEIF to calculate average training score per course
• IF + TEXT to flag scores below 60% as "Needs Improvement"

Attendance Dashboard

• COUNTIF for counting absent days
• TODAY() to calculate working days this month

Performance Dashboard

• INDEX + MATCH to pull employee ratings
• IFERROR to clean up missing or invalid data

🧩 Tips for Effective HR Dashboards

• Use PivotTables and Slicers for dynamic summaries
• Apply Conditional Formatting to highlight trends or issues
• Use Charts & Sparklines for visual impact
• Organize sheets: one for data entry, one for dashboard view

Excel functions make HR dashboards smarter by automating data analysis, reducing errors, and enabling fast, data-driven HR decisions. With formulas like VLOOKUP, SUMIF, COUNTIF, IF, and AVERAGEIF, HR professionals can track and visualize critical workforce insights efficiently.

Storyboarding

Storyboarding is a visual planning technique used to organize information, data, or ideas in a logical sequence, just like telling a story. It helps to connect different findings, highlight key insights, and present a clear message.

📌 Purpose of Storyboarding in Research or Business Projects

Steps to Storyboard Your Project or Findings

• Define the Goal—What are you trying to explain or convince your audience of?
• Collect Key Findings—Summarize insights from research, interviews, data analysis, etc.
• Identify Key Themes—Group related insights under headings like: Problem, Causes, Data, Solutions, and Results.
• Arrange in Sequence—Use logical order: Introduction → Challenges → Recommendations → Impact
• Visualize Your Story—Use slides, flowcharts, diagrams, or cards to represent each stage.
• Connect the Dots—Link evidence to each insight and show how they lead to your conclusion.

 Storyboard Format Example for HR Research

Storyboarding helps integrate your findings into a powerful, logical narrative that is easy to understand and act upon. It’s essential for effective communication in reports, dashboards, and presentations.