This article attempts to understand the adoption and institutionalisation of open dashboards in the health information system in Tanzania as part of the national initiative in strengthening the routine health information systems through data-driven approaches. Using an institutional perspective, specifically the concept of institutional work, the article analyses the efforts of a group of actors aimed at disrupting existing structures, thereby creating new ones and diffusing them within and across organisations. We argue that for the institutionalisation of open dashboards in health information systems, serendipity moments are necessary and should be coupled with actors willing to mobilising others within the network. Furthermore, we argue that the use of participatory approach has the potential to align interests from diverse stakeholders hence providing a mechanism for transforming rooted organisational routines.