Customizing KPIs

In IBM® Intelligent Operations Center, you can customize key performance indicator (KPI) models to suit your business processes.

KPIs are designed to supply statistical data that can be used to analyze trends or to indicate problem areas. KPI data is updated by data items coming into the system from your data source.

IBM Intelligent Operations Center provides a set of sample KPIs and events that can be used to update KPI status. There are three sample KPI models supplied with the IBM Intelligent Operations Center. The models are based on the sample monitoring and business processes related to public safety, transportation, and water supply. For more information about the sample KPIs, see the link.

Each solution follows a KPI creation and integration process to set up the KPIs required for the specific business environment. You can create your own KPI models with the IBM Business Monitor. For more information about creating and integrating KPIs with the IBM Intelligent Operations Center, see the link.

Use the key performance indicator configuration tool to customize KPIs in IBM Intelligent Operations Center. The Key Performance Indicators tool is provided for the administrator as one of the Solution Administration view options. For more information about configuring KPIs with the tool, see the link.

Using the tool, you can view KPI properties; create, copy, or modify KPIs; and view or change the hierarchical displays for KPI models.

Use the KPI Definition tab to define the KPIs associated with a specific KPI model in the IBM Intelligent Operations Center. The following list outlines the options available on the KPI Definition tab:

  • View the current list of KPIs belonging to a KPI model.
  • View the properties of an existing KPI.
  • Update the properties of an existing KPI.
  • Create a KPI for a KPI model:
    • An aggregate KPI has a value that is calculated with a defined metric
    • An Expression KPI has a value that is based on other KPIs
  • Delete a KPI.

Your updates are saved to IBM Business Monitor models stored in the IBM Intelligent Operations Center database. Your updates are also reflected, at the next browser refresh, on the KPI dashboard.

Note: KPIs that are created in IBM Business Monitor are defined as "modeled". Any KPIs created or copied in IBM Intelligent Operations Center configuration tool are defined as "dashboard". Modeled KPIs cannot be deleted and have some limitations on updating within the configuration tool.

Use the Relationships and Display tab to update the KPI hierarchies that are displayed on the KPI dashboard.

  • View the existing KPI hierarchies.
  • View the main properties of a KPI.
  • Change the tree structure by moving or removing items in a KPI hierarchy.
  • Add predefined KPIs to a hierarchy.

Your updates are reflected at the next refresh of the KPI dashboard.

Note: Any updates to the display hierarchy are independent of the KPI model. An understanding of the KPI model is necessary to ensure that the updates adhere to the logic of the KPI model.