Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
What happens in the free consultation?
It’s a quick conversation - over the phone, in person or on a video call. We talk through your business, what you currently track (even if that’s just a gut feel), and what you’d love to be able to see. We’ll walk through a list of common KPIs together and figure out which ones actually apply to your situation. There’s no commitment and no pressure.
Do I need to have my data organised before we talk?
No. Many small business owners operate from messy spreadsheets, a few different software platforms, and a vague sense that their data is “somewhere.” That’s completely fine. Part of what we do in the consultation is figure out what data you have and whether it’s usable.
How do I know which package is right for me?
We’ll work that out together in the consultation. Broadly: if you want to understand one specific area of your business and have no interest in an ongoing service, Essentials is the place to start. If you want a live dashboard you can check anytime, Growth is the most popular choice. If you want weekly updates and priority support, Executive is built for that.
For Growth and Executive, you also choose how it's delivered: Hosted by Nova (we host, refresh and support it for a monthly fee) or Owned (we build it in your own Microsoft 365 and hand it over to keep, with no monthly fee).
Can I start with Essentials and upgrade later?
Yes. Essentials clients receive a $750 upgrade credit toward Growth or Executive (Hosted or Owned) if they upgrade within 90 days of delivery. Growth clients can upgrade to Executive for $1,500 after their 3-month minimum
How long does the build take?
Essentials dashboards are delivered within 10 business days, Growth within 20 and Executive within 25. The clock starts on the later of the date we receive your complete data and your scheduled start date, which we confirm when you sign. For Owned packages, we hand the dashboard over within 5 business days of your final approval. If there are data quality issues that need back-and-forth, we'll let you know upfront and adjust the timeline.
Packages and Pricing
What’s included in the package fee?
The fee covers the full dashboard build: consultation, design, data modelling, QA testing and delivery. For Growth and Executive, 50% is invoiced when you sign and 50% on delivery (or at handover, for Owned). Hosted packages then have a monthly retainer that covers ongoing data refreshes, support and one Power BI Pro licence. Owned packages have no monthly fee. All fees are plus GST if applicable.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. Pricing is outlined in your Service Agreement before you sign. The only additional costs are optional add-ons (Revision Bundle, KPI Add-on Pack, extra Power BI licences for Hosted packages at $29 per user per month, the Care Plan for Owned packages at $199 per month, or custom work at $149/hour), and those are only charged if you request them.
What’s the minimum commitment?
Essentials has no ongoing commitment; it's a flat fee and you're done. Hosted Growth and Executive have a 3-month minimum retainer, then run month-to-month, and you can cancel with 30 days' notice after the minimum period. Owned packages have no minimum commitment or monthly fee; the Care Plan is optional and can be cancelled with 30 days' notice.
What if I need more KPIs than my package includes?
You can add a KPI Add-on Pack to Growth or Executive. Alternatively, any custom work can be scoped and invoiced separately
Can my dashboard live in our own Microsoft 365 environment?
Yes. That's our Owned option: Growth – Owned ($5,950) or Executive – Owned ($10,950), plus GST if applicable. We build the dashboard inside your own Microsoft 365 and Power BI, hand it over with a guide and training, and it's yours to keep, with no monthly fee. You'll need Microsoft 365 Business, a Power BI Pro licence for each viewer, and someone who can manage your Microsoft 365 settings (you or your IT provider). After a 30-day warranty, help is available through the optional Care Plan ($199 per month) or at $149/hour.
Can I switch from Hosted to Owned later?
Yes, once your 3-month minimum is complete. You pay the difference between the Hosted upfront fee and the Owned price ($2,450 for Growth, $4,450 for Executive, plus GST if applicable). We move your dashboard into your own Microsoft 365 and hand it over, and your monthly retainer stops.
Data and Privacy
How do I submit my data to you?
Via a unique file request link we send once your Service Agreement is signed. You upload directly, no special accounts needed. We do not accept data via personal email.
If you choose Owned, there's no upload link: your data stays in a SharePoint or OneDrive folder in your own Microsoft 365.
Who can see my data?
Only you, your nominated users and Nova Analytics, plus the Microsoft platforms we use for Hosted dashboards (Power BI, OneDrive and SharePoint), which store data in Australia. If you choose Owned, your data stays in your own Microsoft 365 environment. We never sell your data or use it to train AI, and we handle it in line with the Australian Privacy Principles. See our Privacy Policy for the full list of providers we use.
What software do you use?
Microsoft Power BI. With a Hosted package, your dashboard is built and managed in Nova Analytics' Power BI workspace, so there's nothing for you to set up; you open it through a secure link. If you ever stop working with us, your live access ends, but you keep a PDF export of your latest dashboard. With an Owned package, it's built in your own Microsoft 365 and stays with you.
Do I need a Power BI licence?
It depends on your package. Essentials is delivered as a PDF, so you don't need a licence or any software. Hosted Growth and Executive include one Power BI Pro licence in the monthly retainer, and extra viewers are $29 per user per month (plus GST if applicable). With Owned, each viewer needs their own Power BI Pro licence through your Microsoft 365. If you already use Microsoft 365, you may already have one.
What if there’s a problem with my data quality?
We check your data when we receive it. If there are quality issues (For example inconsistent formats, data gaps) we’ll contact you with specific questions before we start building. We won’t start the build on incomplete data, because that would produce an inaccurate dashboard.
Ongoing Services
What does an update actually involve?
For Hosted packages, you upload your latest file through your link (monthly for Growth, weekly for Executive). We refresh the dashboard, run a quality check, and send a note confirming the update and flagging anything worth your attention. Owned dashboards refresh themselves from your own SharePoint.
What if my dashboard stops working?
We monitor all live dashboards regularly. If something breaks or data goes stale, we identify and fix it. If you spot an issue first, contact us and we’ll acknowledge it within 2 business days and resolve it as soon as possible.
For Owned dashboards, we fix defects at no charge for 30 days after handover. After that, the Care Plan includes a monthly health check and refresh-failure alerts, or we can help at $149/hour.
Can I make changes after delivery?
Yes. Growth and Executive include 2 revision rounds. After that, you can purchase a Revision Bundle or request custom changes (scoped separately).
What if my business changes and I need different KPIs?
Get in touch. We’ll discuss what’s changed and scope the update as either a revision (if within your included rounds) or custom work.