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February 22nd
From Data to Decisions: Zebra BI CEO Andrej Lapajne on FP&A Tomorrow with The FP&A Guy
Dashboards often look impressive with colorful charts and sleek layouts, but many fail to answer the most important question: what action should we take?
As our CEO Andrej Lapajne shared on FP&A Tomorrow with Paul Barnhurst (The FP&A Guy), the same dataset can tell a completely different story, or no story at all, if it is not presented with the right methodology.
People saw the redesigned dashboard for the first time and couldn’t believe it was the same data. But suddenly, the conversation changed.
A big thank you to Paul for hosting the discussion and for creating a space where finance leaders can exchange ideas and elevate the profession. 🤝
Watch the episode of the FP&A Tomorrow hosted by Paul Barnhurst, The FP&A Guy 👇
This simple shift, from reporting numbers to driving decisions, was at the heart of the podcast episode. Here is what FP&A professionals can take away from the discussion.
Andrej’s 4-Question Framework for Actionable Dashboards
To test whether a dashboard really delivers value, Andrej recommends asking four basic questions:
- Is performance good or bad?
- By how much?
- Why?
- What action should we take?
Dashboards that answer these questions move FP&A from data and insights to action. Those who do not risk leaving leadership with pretty visuals but no clarity on next steps.
Below is Andrej's framework for FP&As who want to achieve actionable dashboards:
Visualize variances, not just values
Numbers alone do not tell the story. Variances, shown clearly in red/green, highlight the gap and its meaning. Without them, dashboards stay descriptive instead of actionable.
Build a common language with standards
Different departments often report in different “visual languages.” Finance tables, marketing pie charts, and sales dashboards can leave leadership confused. Adopting International Business Communication Standards (IBCS) as a framework creates a consistent, universal way to present financials that everyone can understand.
Merge quantitative and qualitative insights
Charts are powerful, but context matters. Pairing visuals with short explanations or annotations ensures the “why” and “what next” are part of the story, not left for guesswork.
Master data modeling
Clean, structured data is the foundation. Whether or not you have a BI department, FP&A professionals need to understand the basics of data modeling. It is the only way to manage today’s volume and complexity of data effectively.
Leverage AI built on strong fundamentals
AI is already changing analytics, automating manual tasks and surfacing patterns humans cannot detect. But as Andrej emphasized: “More than ever in the history of humankind, it is important that you have clean data.”
AI will not replace FP&A professionals; it will free them to do the strategic work they are meant to do, but only if the data foundation is in place.
Explore Zebra AI to see how AI can help you accelerate the journey from data to insights to action.
Skills that matter most for FP&A professionals
According to Andrej, two skills stand out:
- Data modeling as the #1 technical capability for handling today’s complexity.
- Communication as the most critical human skill—being able to present financial insights clearly and persuasively.
About The FP&A Tomorrow podcast
Hosted by Paul Barnhurst, the FP&A Tomorrow podcast has become one of the most influential platforms in the global FP&A community. Each week, Paul invites practitioners, thought leaders, and innovators to share their experiences on financial planning, analysis, and decision-making. The show blends practical advice with forward-looking trends, making it a must-listen for finance professionals eager to stay ahead.
The Future of FP&A: From Standards to AI
The FP&A profession is evolving rapidly, and conversations like this on FP&A Tomorrow highlight just how important it is to bridge the gap between data and decisions. From the adoption of IBCS standards for consistent reporting to the use of AI in FP&A dashboards, finance leaders now have the tools to transform reporting into real business impact.
At Zebra BI, this mission drives everything we do: helping FP&A teams build decision-ready dashboards that tell a clear financial story in Power BI, Office, or in Zebra AI.
To put this ideas into practice 👇
👉 and listen to the FP&A Tomorrow podcast on your preferred platform (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts).