A simple weekly dashboard for early-stage founders
Which numbers an early-stage founder should look at every week, how to keep the dashboard small, and how to make it update itself.
By Atharva Bhardwaj. Published .
Key takeaways
- A weekly dashboard should fit on one screen and lead to decisions.
- Cover pipeline, revenue, cash and one or two product or delivery numbers.
- Automate data collection so the dashboard is always current without manual effort.
Which numbers belong on it?
- New conversations or leads this week.
- Deals at each stage and deals won or lost.
- Revenue or bookings, and cash in the bank.
- Monthly burn and runway.
- One or two product or delivery measures that matter for your business.
How do you keep it small?
For each number, ask what you would do differently if it went up or down. If the answer is nothing, it does not belong on the weekly dashboard. Keep detailed reports elsewhere for when you need them.
How do you automate it?
Connect the dashboard directly to the source tools, such as your CRM, accounting software and product database, rather than copying numbers by hand. Even a spreadsheet that pulls data automatically is better than a polished dashboard someone updates manually.
Frequently asked questions
Which tool should we use?
Start with whatever your team already uses, even a spreadsheet. Move to a dedicated tool when you need more data sources or sharing options.
Who should see the dashboard?
The founders and anyone responsible for the numbers on it. Sharing it widely can help everyone focus on the same priorities.
How often should we review it?
Weekly, at a fixed time, with a short discussion of what changed and what to do about it.