During the project, the individual dashboard datasets belonging to each team member export metrics data to the shared team directory. This exported data is then imported into the team dashboard to calculate rolled up team data.
This export/import mechanism is generally fully automatic. The individual dashboards automatically export their data each night, and each time they are shut down. The team dashboard checks for new data every ten minutes, and imports any new data it finds. As a result, you generally will not need to interact with the export/import mechanism.
At times, however, you may wish to have a team member correct a piece of erroneous data and quickly see the change reflected in the team rollup. At these times, you can ask the individual to select Export My Data Now from the script menu in their personal dashboard. Once their export is complete, you can select Import All Data Now from the list of tools on the right pane of the team dashboard.
If your team is using cloud storage for team data, make sure all team members are actively running the cloud provider's sync client. Data will only flow between computers after the sync client copies files to the cloud and back.
In addition, if you are using task dependencies to coordinate work between individuals, then you should open the team dashboard at least once daily. This will allow the team dashboard to recompute the completion status of dependent tasks, and communicate this data to the individual dashboards.
Over the course of the project, you should periodically save a backup of the data in the Team Dashboard (saving a backup each week is recommended). Just choose File → Save Data Backup from the main Team Dashboard window.
The data backup will contain data for all of the projects in this Team Dashboard, so it isn't necessary to save separate backups for each project. If you retain these backups, you can open them later in the Quick Launcher to see a historical view of project progress.
When you install the Process Dashboard, it creates a shortcut that opens your own personal dashboard dataset (and possibly a second shortcut to open the team dashboard). Sometimes, however, you need to look at data from a different dashboard. For example, the quality manager may need to look at data collected by a single individual, or the team coach may need to view the team plan from a remote location. The Quick Launcher makes this possible. If you select the Tools for Team Leaders option during installation, a Process Dashboard Quick Launcher shortcut will be created for your use.
Individuals can create data backup files by opening their personal
dashboard and choosing
" → Tools → Save
Data Backup." In the Team Dashboard, this option appears on the File menu.
You can drag-and-drop one of these data backup files onto the Quick
Launcher window, and a team or personal dashboard window will open,
displaying the data exactly as it appeared when the backup was made.
If you do not have a Quick Launcher shortcut, you can open a data backup
by choosing " → Tools → Open Dataset"
from a personal dashboard, or by choosing "File → Open Dataset" from
a Team Dashboard. Then select the data backup file you would like to
open.
For more information on the creation and use of data backups, see the data backup help topic.