Tutorials : Getting started with Focal Point : Module 2: Enter, organize, and compare data
  
Module 2: Enter, organize, and compare data
This module is intended for workspace administrators. The lesson introduces the basic functions of Focal Point. When you finish this module, you will be able to enter, organize, and compare data. You can then analyze the results of comparisons and make informed decisions.
Learning objectives
After you complete the lessons in this module, you will know how to do the following tasks:
create a module
add attributes and elements to a module
create views
view elements in different display modes
define criteria and prioritize elements
visualize results and generate reports.
Time required
This module takes approximately 60 minutes to complete.
Prerequisites
Focal Point must be installed, and you must be a workspace administrator.
Lessons in this module
Lesson 1: Create modules
In modules, you manage elements that have a common set of attributes. To begin managing elements, you can use either a predefined module or create a module that is based on your requirements. In this lesson, you create a module for managing car elements. For more information on how the workspace artifacts are related to each other, see Setting up modules.
Lesson 2: Add attributes to the module
When you create a module, a list of predefined attributes is displayed. In this lesson, you add two more attributes to the Cars module to specify information about the type and price of the cars.
Lesson 3: Add elements to the module
In this lesson, you add various types of cars with varied prices as elements to the module.
Lesson 4: Create views
In the previous lessons, you worked directly in the Focal Point repository. In the repository, administrators can add, delete, and change elements. Views are required to provide users with access to elements. Focal Point 7.0 provides default views corresponding to each module, and hence, you need not create views specifically for the Cars module. You can just select the Cars view listed from the Display menu, and edit it based on the inputs provided in this section. This lesson is meant to help you understand the procedure to create a view.
Lesson 5: View and filter elements
You can use several display modes to view, sort, and filter data.
Lesson 6: Define criteria for prioritizing elements
To prioritize elements in a structured way, use criteria. When you prioritize elements, you can identify information to support portfolio and product management decisions.
Lesson 7: Prioritize elements
When you prioritize elements, you compare two alternatives according to one criterion at a time. Then, you combine the results to view a larger and more complex picture of the elements. You can base strategic decisions on those results.
Lesson 8: Visualize the results
After you prioritize elements, you can visualize results in various graphical formats in order to support your decisions. In the visuals, priorities are represented as bars, bubbles, and lines.
Lesson 9: Generate and save reports
You can generate a quick report of each view, and then save the reports in the database.
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Lesson 1: Create modules
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Getting started with Focal Point