The Gauge Widget with Dynamic Goals lets you monitor KPIs against targets that are pulled directly from your Planning files (Budget/Forecast) and kept in sync as plans evolve. It’s ideal for tracking Actuals vs. Budget/Forecast and comparing planning scenarios (e.g., Best, Mid, Worst) right on your dashboard.

Prerequisite: The Dynamic Goal option appears for customers using Datarails Planning.

Create a Gauge with Dynamic Goals

1. Click the New button on your dashboard.
2. Select Add Widget and choose the Custom category.
3. Give the widget a unique name.
4. Select the Gauge Widget, then click Next.
5. From the new configuration option, select Dynamic Goal.
   • Selecting Dynamic Goal now opens the Widget Editor for the gauge with dynamic goals.

Configure a Gauge with Dynamic Goals

Goal (Planning-powered)

The Goal is sourced from your Planning files and is defined by the Value you select together with any Filters you apply.
By default:
Goal = Budget (target)
Needle = Actuals (performance)

You can refine the goal source using Planning fields such as Scenario, Scenario Cycle, or Scenario Details (for example, Forecast – Best).
If no specific filter is applied to select the Budget/Forecast versions, the system defaults will apply.

Needle (Actuals-powered)

The Needle reflects Actuals for the same metric defined by the Value and Filters (for example, Actual Revenue for the selected entity and period).
This ensures the gauge shows Actual performance against the dynamically sourced Budget or Forecast goal.

Define Segments (ranges)

Click Range to adjust and define your segments:

• Choose between Absolute Values or Percentage for defining segments.
• Add or remove segments as needed.
• Adjust segment borders to refine their ranges.

Adjust Colors

Customize segment colors to match your organizational needs:

• Manually select colors for each segment, or
• Apply your organizational color palette for consistency.

Apply & Save

1. Click Apply to preview the gauge with the goal pulled from Planning and the Needle showing Actuals.
2. Adjust labels and visualization settings as needed.
3. Click Save to add the gauge to your dashboard.

Why use Dynamic Goals?

• Always current: Targets automatically follow your latest Budget/Forecast.
• Scenario-ready: Compare Actuals against different planning scenarios (Best/Mid/Worst) or cycles.
• Fully customizable: Keep all the styling and segmentation controls you’re used to from the static gauge.

Updated September 30, 2025 11:27