Before you choose a reporting tool

A reporting project starts with a question, not a dashboard list. What do you need to know, where is the data and who uses the answer?

Start small

Pick one report. Identify the source of each figure, who can access it and how often it needs updating.

Check the data

Before moving records, check exports and permissions. Compare a sample result with the original source rather than assuming the figures survived unchanged.

Include maintenance

Self-hosted tools still need hosting, updates, backups and a responsible person. Compare that work with your existing setup.

Test before relying on it

Try a limited dataset and have the people who use the report check it. Keep a trial separate from critical reporting until the figures and process are understood.