The Austin Fire Department has a business discovery system that gives each user or group access to the data they need for daily operational performance management and trend analysis.

BC Dashboard

 

Combat Operations Battalion Chiefs, Captains, and Lieutenants use the BC Dashboard to track their daily operations, crews' turnout time, check incomplete National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) reports, and stay updated on inspection status and continuing education completion.  

 

 

 

 

Finance

Division managers can see, at a glance, if they are over budget in any category. Executives can easily see the summary results for multiple divisions. As added time (overtime) is AFD's single largest expense after payroll, we can now effectively forecast future spending. And, the ability to run "what if" models during collective bargaining saves hundreds of hours and produces more credible answers.

 

 

 

 

Strategic Planning

Planners query on a multitude of variables to obtain information that will guide station placement, apparatus location, and staffing.

Additional Interactive Documents

AFD’s business discovery system also includes integrated data sets for Supply Chain, Fire Prevention, Hiring, Safety, Facilities Management, IT, and HR.

AFD Data Governance Policy

QlikView users may not release data outside the department

The QlikView software tool is provided solely for internal analysis and review of AFD data. This is because the data are in essentially raw format. It requires knowledgeable interpretation to ensure quality and consistency with previous analysis, as well as conformance with department and City policies and strategies.

Do not release QlikView data to anyone outside the department. This includes any data you export from QlikView to a different program for further analysis or presentation, for example Excel, Access, or PowerPoint. Review and release of QlikView data outside AFD is the responsibility of the SPOC for each QlikView application, listed on the Read Me tab included in each document. The SPOC will coordinate with the appropriate Executive Team members before sharing QlikView data with any person or organization outside AFD. Executive Team review will include aspects such as:

  • How does the information relate to similar previous information?
  • Is the information consistent with the Fire Chief’s strategies and priorities?
  • Does our Assistant City Manager need to be notified?
  • Is this release likely to prompt additional requests for information?
  • Will the information be released to the public?

QlikView users must be conscientious to use data responsibly.

Even when conducting analysis strictly within AFD, users must be aware of the potential for misinterpretation of QlikView data. Data exist within a context of history, policies, and processes. Some users understand this context, and are aware of the meaning and limitations of the data. Other users are less familiar with this context, therefore they may unintentionally misinterpret the data.

Provide context for the reader of your QlikView analysis. You can do this by use of titles, subtitles, and notes placed on the chart or graph. Any data you save outside a QlikView screen view or print off should include:

  • Name, title, and department of person who prepared the report
  • Data source(s) for the information
  • Report title
  • Date prepared (not date printed)
  • Assumptions (if appropriate) or comments to help the reader interpret the data consistently and correctly, e.g. ’week’ starts at midnight Saturday