A well-designed dashboard offers its user a complete story at first glance. Users should be able to view data quickly allowing for more informed decision-making, freeing up time that can be devoted to other areas of the business.
Dashboard Design Trends
Each dashboard tells a unique story that offers users the opportunity to monitor which key performance indicators (KPIs) are working and which need more attention. A dashboard is a brief summary of the most important data from reports to insights gathered in one convenient location.
This allows users to easily access their most critical metrics in one glance, which helps in determining the performance of each activity within an organization.
Considerations when designing a dashboard have evolved over the years. There is more data available to be collected now than ever before and choosing which KPIs to include can be a daunting task. When creating a dashboard, be sure to add the most valuable and relevant data keeping its user in mind. For example, data shown on a dashboard that has been created for a CEO will be different from that of a person who has less control over the decision making within an organization.
Increased accessibility is one of the ways in which dashboards have improved. Users are now able to access data using portable and mobile devices in addition to computers. Real time updates can be viewed on the go making it more convenient to view metrics at any time and from anywhere in the world. Optimizing your dashboard for mobile use is a key factor to consider.
Be sure not to overload your dashboard with unnecessary data. Too much information at once can be overwhelming, so it’s best practice to leave any unnecessary data off the main dashboard, and instead offer those metrics by way of filters. If the data does not fit well into the story your dashboard is telling, it can likely be left out altogether.
Does it matter if a dashboard is aesthetically pleasing? Absolutely. Again, you’re telling a story. Make it a great one. Arrange data in such a way that upon first glance, the reader can understand each metric, what it means, and how it relates to the next. Today’s dashboards are customizable and eye catching, not just informative. Choose color palettes that blend well together. The best dashboards are rich in data and have interactive components. Create charts, graphs, and maps. Be colorful. Be creative. Be innovative.
