Terms like "dashboard" and "scorecard" are used interchangeably, but there is a significant difference between them. A scorecard is a type of report that displays a collection of key performance indicators (KPIs) together with performance targets for each KPI. A dashboard, on the other hand, is a container for a related group of scorecard and report views that are organized together.
What are reports?
A report is the presentation of data transformed into formatted and organized information according to specific business requirements. Examples of the types of reports you can expect to see on a dashboard include analytic charts and grids, Excel Services reports, Web Page reports, and Executive Viewer reports. Reports can be simple static images or highly interactive displays of data. You can sort, filter, and drill up, down, or through data in some types of reports.
What is a scorecard?
A scorecard measures performance against goals. Typically, a scorecard displays graphic indicators that visually convey the overall success or failure of an organization in its efforts to achieve a particular goal. The scorecard is based on a collection of key performance indicators (KPIs), each of which represents an aspect of organizational performance.