Ad Hoc Reporting Project Update

June 13, 2019

The Ad Hoc Reporting Project (ARP)’s mission is to implement a modernized ad-hoc reporting software solution (Tableau) and support the migration from Brio to the new platform. Our number one guiding principle for this project is to advance HUIT’s vision of empowering the Harvard community through technology that enables effortless access to data, information and knowledge.  Data Management Services (DMS) is happy to announce that the funding for the project has been released so that work can start in earnest in FY20.

Currently, DMS is actively working with Tableau to:

  • Identify consulting partners to assist Brio/IR users converting their queries to Tableau
    and
  • Identify training tracks for the Ad Hoc community
  • Provide monthly informational sessions for the Brio / IR users called Tableau Days
  • Complete a Vendor Risk Assessment to ensure proper security
  • Review and negotiate licensing options

Tableau Days

DMS is happy to state that the second Tableau Day was a success.  Justin Grosz from Harvard Business Publishing (HBP) spoke about how HBP uses Tableau for quarterly reporting automation.  Tableau’s topics included best practices, an overview of Tableau, and a review of how to create spreadsheets in the system.

Planning is currently underway for the next Tableau Day on Thursday, June 27th.  Tableau Day will be held in the 4th floor Summit Room at 784 Mount Auburn Street.  Tableau and Harvard presentations will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with Doctor Sessions running from 1:30 p.m. through 3:00 p.m.

  • To register for the Tableau Days, please click HERE.
  • To register for the Tableau Doctor Sessions, please click HERE.

If you have topics that you would like to see covered in future Tableau Days, simply email Patty Hatch or Raj Mariadoss.

Quick Tip: Getting Information about Tableau Days

Want to see materials from the earlier Tableau Days?  Not sure where to register for a Doctor Session?  These answers and all the information you need can be found on the Tableau Days wiki page in the Ad Hoc Reporting wiki.

Want to know immediately when new information is being posted to the wiki page?  Follow these simple steps.

  1. Log into the Tableau Days wiki page in the Ad Hoc Reporting wiki.
  2. Click the Watch eye icon: Watch Icon
  3. You then have 2 choices:
  • Click the radio button for “Watch page” to be updated about changes only to the Tableau Days wiki page.
  • Click the radio button for “Watch all content in this space” to be updated about any changes in the Ad Hoc Reporting Project wiki site.

We will provide more information about these items and the project in the coming months.  For more information about the Ad Hoc Reporting Project, please check out the ARP wiki page.