Tuloskehys

Tuloskehys is a Finnish term that describes a framework or template used to organize and present results in reports, dashboards, or data-processing workflows. The word combines tulos (result) and kehys (frame or template). In practice, a tuloskehys defines what data should be included, how it should be calculated, and how it should be formatted, helping to ensure consistency across outputs.

A tuloskehys may specify components such as data sources, metrics, units, time periods, aggregation methods, calculation rules, rounding, localization, accessibility, and visualization settings. It can also define export formats (for example CSV, JSON, PDF) and layout considerations, enabling uniform presentation in different channels and contexts. The concept is used to describe both the structure of results and the rules that govern their creation and display.

Implementation often takes the form of a schema, template, or configuration file (such as JSON, YAML, or XML) that a reporting engine or data pipeline uses to render results. As a design contract between data processing and presentation layers, a tuloskehys helps automate reporting, reduce ad hoc variations, and simplify maintenance and updates.

Contexts in which tuloskehys is applied include business intelligence, performance or project reporting, scientific or research outputs, and public-sector dashboards. By standardizing the presentation of results, organizations can improve comparability across periods and units, support localization and accessibility, and streamline the integration of new data sources.