SPC Chart - Summary Table - Seeking Meaningful Targets/Variation icons.

[F_Reh]

Good Afternoon,

I have created a SPC Summary Table for a series of KPIs...

1) Is it possible to set different Target values in each row of the Centerline column for each KPI (Obviously there will be differences in what we wish to achieve for each KPI !).

2) The Variation column only is showing grey icons. There are no Blue or Orange icons to signifiying any changes in the process (either positive or negative)..

3) There are Valid Numerator and Denominator values, yet the four Control limit columns (upper/lower 95%/99%) are all showing values of 0.0. Is there anything further I need to do to ensure meaningful values are showing in these ?

4) Are Target (Centerline) or Alt. Target columns required for the Variation column to show meaningful icons ? What is the difference in meaning between Target (Centerline) or Alt. Target  ?

[v-venuppu]

Hi @F_Reh ,

To attach the calculated KPI averages to the Centerline (Target) in your Summary Table:

Create a Lookup Table with KPI Name and its overall average.Establish a relationship between the Lookup Table and the Summary Table using KPI Name.
Add a Centerline column in the Summary Table using:

Centerline = RELATED(KPI_Lookup[KPI Average])

Use this Centerline column as the target line in your SPC chart.

Thank you.

[F_Reh]

Thanks ! So once I have created a Lookup table, (containing the overall average of all previous months for each KPI) how would one then "attach" this calculated KPI Averages column to the Centerline (Target) within the Summary Table ?

[v-venuppu]

Hi @F_Reh ,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Fabric Community.

Thank you @DataNinja777 @Ritaf1983 for the prompt response.

I wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the information provided and resolve the issue..?Please let us know if you need any further assistance.We are happy to help.

Thank you.

[DataNinja777 · Accepted solution]

Hi @F_Reh ,

You can configure your SPC chart to meet your needs. The issues you're observing are common and stem directly from how SPC charts interpret your data. You can set unique centerlines, and the grey icons and zero-value limits you see are simply reflections of a stable process where the event being measured has not occurred in the historical data.

It's perfectly fine and standard practice to set a different Centerline value for each KPI in your table. Since each row represents a unique process, each will have its own distinct average or performance target. Setting these individually is the correct way to build your summary. 

The grey icons in the Variation column indicate that your process is stable, or "in control." This means no statistically significant trends or shifts have been detected according to the chart's rules. The icon will only change to blue (a positive process shift) or orange (a negative shift) when a rule is triggered, such as a data point falling outside the control limits. If your process is genuinely consistent, seeing grey icons is the expected outcome. 

Your control limits are appearing as 0.0 because they are calculated directly from your historical process data. If the Numerator values used for the calculation have all been zero, then the average rate is also zero. Since control limits are based on the average and the variation around it, a zero average with no variation results in zero-value limits. For example, the general formula is:

Limits = Average ± (Multiplier × Standard Deviation)

If your average and standard deviation are both zero, the limits will also be zero. You'll need historical data with non-zero numerators to generate meaningful control limits.

A properly set Centerline (Target) is absolutely required for the chart's statistical functions, but an Alt. Target is not. The Centerline is the primary reference used to calculate the control limits and apply the rules that trigger the variation icons. In contrast, the Alt. Target is just an optional, visual reference line. It's helpful for comparing performance against a stretch goal or benchmark, but it does not influence any calculations or the variation icons.

Best regards,

[Ritaf1983]

Hi @F_Reh 

Since there’s no actual data file and only a screenshot, it's hard to know how your model is structured. Here are general answers:

1. Yes, you can definitely set a different target (Centerline) value per KPI row, based on the category. This can be done by loading a lookup table with the relevant target per item, or by building logic in DAX to dynamically assign the appropriate value.
   I explained this approach here in detail:
   https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Desktop/Convert-Actual-and-Plan-KPI-Measures-into-Table-wi...

2. Regarding the Variation column: from the image, it looks like you’re using a static image rather than conditional formatting icons. To show meaningful indicators like colored arrows, use Conditional Formatting on that column based on logical rules.

   

   
   
   From a UX perspective (see UXIT guidelines), it’s better to only highlight problematic or outlier values, not the positive/expected ones. Otherwise, users won’t know where to focus.
   You can see in the second image attached a better approach — icons appear only when something is wrong, which draws attention effectively.

   
   

   The pbix is attached too , ypu can download and follow

3. Regarding the control limits: if they all show 0.0, the likely reasons are:

   • The values are too small and rounded off – consider showing more decimal places

   • You may need to normalize the values (e.g., multiply by 100)

   • Or, the formula may not be working properly and returning zeros

4. Regarding the difference between Target (Centerline) and Alt. Target – your question is unclear. If you can clarify how you intend to use each, we can provide a more precise answer.

If this post helps, then please consider Accepting it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly