Data reporting is the process of collecting and formatting raw data and translating it into a digestible format to assess the ongoing performance of your organization.
Your data reports can answer basic questions about the state of your business. They can show you the status of certain information in an Excel file or a simple data visualization tool. Static data reports usually use the same format over a period of time and pull from one source of data.
A data report is nothing more than a recorded list of facts and figures. Take the population census, for example. This is a technical document that transmits basic information on how many and what kind of people live in a certain country. It can be displayed in the text, or in a visual format, such as a graph or chart. But it is static information that can be used to assess current conditions.
A company’s data reporting often summarizes financial information such as revenues, accounts receivables, and net profits. This provides a timely record of the financial health of the company, or a segment of your finances, such as sales. A sales director might report on KPIs according to location, stage of the funnel, and close rate, to provide an accurate picture of the total sales pipeline.