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Overview
Your FORWARD Portal Dashboard is the heart of your program management experience.
It’s where you can view every program, monitor activity, and access the tools that help your team deliver resources quickly, securely, and equitably.
Whether you’re an administrator configuring workflows or a program manager reviewing applications, this guide will show you how to find what you need and make the most of your dashboard.
1. Understanding the Dashboard Layout
When you first log in, the dashboard provides a clean, role-based view of your organization’s programs and activities.
The main sections include:
Section | Purpose |
Top Navigation Bar | Access your organization’s settings, switch between programs, or open the Knowledge Center. |
Programs Panel | Lists all your active, draft, paused, or completed programs. |
Quick Stats Overview | Displays real-time numbers — total applications received, pending reviews, and completed cases. |
Recent Activity Feed | See the latest actions from your team, such as new applications submitted or status changes. |
Search & Filters | Quickly find programs, applicants, or workflows by name, date, or status. |
Tip: The dashboard automatically updates every few minutes — no need to refresh your browser.
2. Program Cards: Your Operational Snapshot
Each Program Card on your dashboard represents one program your organization is running.
Here’s what you’ll find on each card:
Program Name & Type (e.g., “Small Business Recovery Fund – Business Template”)
Status Indicator: Draft, Test, Active, Paused, or Completed
Application Count: Displays total submissions and review progress
Quick Links: Jump directly to applications, workflows, or reports
You can click any card to open the Program Overview Page, where you’ll access detailed program settings, applicant lists, and analytics.
Best Practice: Keep your program names descriptive (e.g., “2025 Housing Stability Pilot”) for easier tracking in reports and exports.
3. Main Navigation Tabs Explained
Your left-hand navigation menu (or top tabs, depending on your layout) gives you access to every part of the FORWARD platform.
Tab | Description |
Programs | Manage all your programs — build new ones, view drafts, or duplicate existing templates. |
Applications | View, sort, and manage incoming applications; filter by stage or reviewer. |
Workflows | Customize and automate review steps, notifications, and eligibility checks. |
Dashboards | Build visual reports to monitor program performance and equity outcomes. |
Reports | Export applicant or payment data for compliance and funder reporting. |
Notifications | Create automated messages by email, SMS, or voice to keep applicants informed. |
Settings | Manage team roles, permissions, and branding for your organization’s portal. |
Pro Tip: Your navigation tabs are permission-based. Staff members only see what their role allows, keeping sensitive information secure.
4. Filtering and Sorting Data
Your dashboard’s filters help you focus on the information that matters most.
You can filter by:
Program Status: Draft, Test, Active, Paused, Complete
Program Type: Individual, Business, Case Management, Referral
Application Volume: High to low or by review stage
Date Range: View recent activity or long-term trends
To reset filters, click Clear All — this ensures you’re seeing your entire portfolio again.
Quick Shortcut: Use the global search bar to find programs or applicants by name — it searches across all active programs.
5. Monitoring Team Activity
The Recent Activity Feed shows who’s working on what — perfect for program managers and administrators.
It includes:
New applications submitted
Review assignments and approvals
Changes to workflow stages
Comments or notes added to applications
Hover over an activity to see more details or click through to view the record directly.
6. Viewing Real-Time Metrics
The dashboard’s Quick Stats Overview gives you a pulse on your program’s performance.
Metrics include:
Total number of applications
Applications in review vs. approved
Average processing time
Approval rate
Payments completed
You can customize which metrics appear by selecting “Customize Dashboard View” in the top right corner.
Insight: Use these stats during staff meetings or reports to demonstrate operational impact — real-time data builds funder confidence.
7. Accessing Support and Resources
Need help while navigating your dashboard?
Click the Help Icon (❓) in the top navigation bar to access:
The Knowledge Center (like this article)
Video Tutorials and feature guides
Contact Support link to email the FORWARD team
You can also type your question directly into the Chat on the bottom right corner — it pulls answers from the Knowledge Center in real time.
8. Quick Troubleshooting
Common Issue | Possible Solution |
I can’t see a program. | Check your role permissions or use the “All Programs” filter. |
My dashboard data looks outdated. | Refresh or check your connection; data updates every few minutes. |
I see “Access Denied.” | Contact your Portal Admin to confirm your user permissions. |
Dashboard numbers look off. | Verify your program status — Draft programs may not show in live counts. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the difference between Programs and Applications tabs?
Programs manage your configurations and workflows.
Applications manage the individual submissions inside those programs.
Q: Can I customize what appears on my dashboard?
Yes. Click Customize Dashboard View to add, remove, or reorder metrics and cards.
Q: Does the dashboard update automatically?
Yes. FORWARD dashboards update automatically every few minutes with live data.
Related Articles
Getting Started in Your FORWARD Portal
Creating a New Program
Understanding Workflow Stages
Introduction to FORWARD Dashboards