Install Process Dashboard

If your team is using the Process Dashboard Enterprise Server, individuals will not need to follow the steps below. Instead, they can install the Process Dashboard Launcher.

If you have installed the dashboard in the past, you do not need to uninstall. Just run the new installer and choose the default values for all prompts, and it will upgrade you to the latest version.

To install or upgrade the Process Dashboard, follow the steps described below:

Installing on Windows

  1. To begin the installation process:
     
  2. The Process Dashboard requires Java to run. If Java has not already been installed on your computer, the EXE installer will display an error message; in this case, visit https://processdash.com/java to download Java. (The thumb drive and ZIP packages include a Java installer, and will launch it automatically if needed.) When the Java installer runs, you can choose the default values for each prompt.
     
  3. The Process Dashboard installer will open:

  4. You may accept the default values for each prompt. When you reach the page asking which packs you wish to install, team leaders and process mentors should select the "Tools for Team Leaders" option. Individual team members do not need to select this option unless they need a Team Dashboard shortcut icon.

  5. The installer will allow you to select a directory where personal metrics data will be stored. You may accept the default value. Note: if you are upgrading the dashboard from an earlier version, and you previously chose to place your personal data in some other location, make certain that location is correctly displayed in this field. If the directory is incorrect and you neglect to edit it, you can run the installer a second time to set the data location correctly.
     
  6. Team leaders and process mentors will be prompted to identify a directory where team configuration information will be stored. Enter the path to the team data directory, which the team leader created earlier. (If your team is using a network directory for team data, you may need to map a network drive to access this folder. If your team is using cloud storage for team data, you may need to perform extra setup steps to sync this directory to your computer.)

  7. At the end of the installation, you will be given the opportunity to create shortcuts for starting the Process Dashboard. Choose the appropriate options and click Next.

    This will create application shortcuts for your use:
  8. If you are a coach or process mentor who needs to access the dashboard for several different teams, just rename your Team Dashboard shortcut to something unique (such as "ABC Team Dashboard"). Then run the installer again, choose the Tools for Team Leaders option, and enter the team data directory for the next team when prompted. In the final step, the installer will create a shortcut called "Team Dashboard" for this second team, which you can rename to something unique and descriptive (such as "XYZ Team Dashboard"). You can repeat this process for as many teams as needed.

Installing on Mac OS X

Installing the Process Dashboard on Mac OS X requires a slightly different process.

  1. To begin the installation process:
     
  2. Follow the installer directions as described in the section above.
     
  3. An icon will be created in the Applications folder for the Process Dashboard. (If you chose to install the Tools for Team Leaders option, a Team Dashboard shortcut will be created as well.)

Installing on Unix/Linux

Installing the Process Dashboard on Unix requires a few additional steps.

  1. Make certain Java is installed on your computer, by typing "which java" at a shell prompt. If Java is not installed, you can download it from https://processdash.com/java or use an appropriate package manager.
     
  2. Obtain the JAR file for installing the Process Dashboard. (If you have a thumb drive or ZIP file containing the software, find the file inside called pdash-install-*-#_#_#.jar. It will be in a data subdirectory, and the file will contain an actual version number rather than #_#_#). At a shell prompt, change to the directory containing that file, and type:
    java -jar pdash-install-*.jar
  3. The Process Dashboard installer will appear.
     
  4. Follow the installer directions as described in the section above.
     
  5. The Process Dashboard installer will attempt to create shortcuts that you can use to launch the application. However, due to the variety of window managers on Unix platforms, the installer may not always be able to create shortcuts:
     

Installing Launcher for Enterprise Server

If your team is using the Process Dashboard Enterprise Server, individuals do not need to perform any complex installation steps, and do not need to manually upgrade when new versions of the software become available. Instead, they can install the Process Dashboard Launcher by taking these steps:

  1. Log in to the Enterprise Server. At the bottom of the "My Datasets" page, click the link for the Process Dashboard Launcher software.
     
  2. Download and run the installer for your operating system.
     
  3. The installer will create a "Process Dashboard Launcher" icon for you. You can run that application for quick access to all of the team and personal dashboards that appear in your "My Datasets" view.
     
  4. In addition, you can log in to the Enterprise Server in your web browser and click links to launch specific datasets. Those will download small files with the pdlnk or tdlnk extension. You can open those files immediately, or save them on your desktop as a direct shortcut to the given dataset.