A dashboard is an integral managerial tool utilized to coordinate pertinent data from a single access point to help managers and other staff members monitor information such as the Key Performance Indicator (KPIs) of a company.
An analytic dashboard transforms data into value by simplifying and organizing the results of the analysis of that data. Thus, to maximize the effectiveness of an organization’s business intelligence tools, it is critical to consider the best analytic dashboard design principles.
A well-designed dashboard should achieve the following.
- Precision: It should give a business a firm grip on logical judgment and strategic thinking through precise design principles.
- Advanced interaction: It must allow managers and employees to sustain effective and quick communication of the required data. This interaction facilitates better decision-making improving productivity.
- Save time: An analytic dashboard should always save users time. This can be achieved by ensuring the dashboard presents the relevant information needed and nothing more. An excellent example of pertinent data is a view of performance trends and potential issues facing a business.
Simply put, a dashboard is counter-productive if it fails to achieve these functions. With that said, adhering to sound analytic dashboard design principles will streamline its functionality to provide a more useful experience.
Top Dashboard Design Principles
- A simple look that is easy to understand
This is one of the essential principles of a dashboard design. An easy to use and understand setup makes it friendly for users to analyze data quickly and strategically. It should utilize minimal colors, fonts, and group information into understandable categories.
- Logical navigation
Dashboards mainly represent data in the form of graphs and charts. Graphs and charts with the same set of information should be placed or grouped for easy accessibility.
A user should not be forced to jump back and forth through these charts. It should be easy to navigate.
- Considers the Users Needs
Another vital and critical principle of consideration is the dashboard users.
The users determine the type and purpose the dashboard will serve. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the users’ needs.
A simple way of understanding the needs of users is to put yourself in their place. Consider the devices they will commonly use to access this business intelligence tool.
- Presents relevant KPIs
Creating a business-friendly analytic dashboard should pick and apply the appropriate KPIs.
The preferred KPIs will help direct the dashboard creation. These metrics show visual representations of vital insights from a specified area of business. The KPI features must also be user friendly and understandable.
- Consider the Content
Dimensions and measures are some of the main content a company would like to display to its users. A measure is a key figure that a manager or employee wants to analyze, while a dimension is a field established categorically to split measures into smaller logical details.
Determining the right measures and dimensions helps the user identify problems quickly, spot the cause(s) of problems, and apply an appropriate solution to correct the issue.
Following these best analytic dashboard design principles will help create a credible business intelligence tool. Data is valuable only when it leads directly to specific actions. Therefore, it is absolutely critical for users to have the ability to employ the information provided by the dashboard to enhance the performance of their roles. These principles will help ensure your people can identify key information with ease and on their own terms. This, in turn, will accelerate the growth, development, and evolution of your business.
Which, of course, will mean greater profits.
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