Tips for Building a Great Dashboard Design

Dashboard software is a tool in information management that displays, gathers, and tracks business data. This tool uses customizable and interactive visualizations that allow users to watch, analyze, and offer actionable insights about their business.

On the market are multiple state-of-the-art online dashboard solutions such as datapine available.

Why Do You Need an Effective Dashboard Design?

A dashboard design displays crucial information about your business. It is crucial to ensure you show different styles of presentation that include charts, tables, and numbers through your dashboard design. You can also add links and snapshots to custom reports or standards to the panel.

Before you begin designing the dashboard, it would be best to research the data your users need and the place they want to get it. This helps you understand your users’ expectations, requirements, and needs. A good dashboard design contains:

• Project objectives
• User needs
• Nature of data

Your toolbar must answer all critical questions from the user and provide the following:

• Simple, complex information
• Easy access to any data required
• A clear user interface
• Personalized and customizable features

Tips for Building a Great Dashboard Design

Various dashboards range from simple to complex ones. However, every dashboard has specific goals, limitations, and requirements. Following the principles of dashboard software, here are some tips that will help you come up with an excellent dashboard design:

1. Think Tactically About the Dashboard Design

Before starting to create a dashboard design, the first step is to hand fully recognize the problem. Check the previous reports and look at the indicators used and the type of presentation used. Use this information to create a solution that includes all these processes.

You need to understand your users before knowing what to design. Evaluate whether your clients are familiar with the topic and understand the signals and charts they need. You must look for many data views to help you develop more profound insights.

Before deciding on the metrics and data, you will use architecture information and keep a visual hierarchy and check the internet; different dashboard examples like Tableau dashboard design can educate you about various things.

You can start designing after you have chosen your style and preference. Design your dashboard according to the needs of the user.

2. Pick the Correct Dashboard Type

There are several dashboard types that you can choose from; they include:

• Strategic 

A strategic dashboard design displays the long-term strategies of a business. It also analyzes crucial business information depending on the trends.

• Operational

This design manages measures and monitors different operations of a business on a short time or immediate scale.

• Specific

It contains various metrics that help clients track their business performance. For example, if a user wants to check the progress of their social media, they will use specific metrics with a dashboard that focuses on that area.

• Analytical

Analytical dashboard-type enables the users to add new data for deeper analysis. Analytical deals with long-term periods by giving drill-through and drill-down functions.

• Tactical

It assists in determining ways of growing a business depending on strengths, trends, and weaknesses in various departments.

3. Pick the Correct Chart Type

Selecting the correct visualization tool is one of the critical principles of dashboard design. The best chart type that you can use include:

• Histograms

Histograms are essential if you want to relate data to one category.

• Line Charts

Line charts help to show patterns of data. They are appropriate for users who need quick analysis.

• Pie Charts

Pie charts are challenging to use and also not effective. It’s hard to determine the sizes of the pie charts in data visualization.

• Tables

Tables are mainly used to show large data amounts. A table shouldn’t contain a lot of information for ease when reading.

Use only a few visualization types to retain the consistency of your dashboard.

4. Know What to Display

The role of the dashboard is to display data efficiently to help users get what they need using tools that are appropriate during that situation.

You can display your dashboard effectively using:

• Cards

If a business requires geographic or certain locations, they use a map overlay. For instance, manufacturing companies use a bird’s-eye view to access large cities or countries and small cities or villages.

• Timelines

Timelines help users to measure a different number of metrics against time. It is crucial for finding an activity or peak trends.

You can also use dashboard graphs and tables on your display.

5. Display Data the Right Way

Be careful to create a logical and clear dashboard layout. Use three significant categories to divide the data arranging it from the most important to the least important.

Significant indicators should be placed at the top. To make the dashboard straightforward, ensure the indicators are followed by trends that elaborate on the above ideas and finish with details that examine the problem.

Add filters if you want to create an excellent dashboard UX design. Filters help clients to select religions, departments, and ranges. Use clear labels and an easy navigation menu to help clients get their required information.

Other key tips that can help elevate your dashboard include:

• Using a simple design
• Using Interactive tools
• Choose colors carefully
• Avoid repletion

As we have seen above, there are several tips that can help you design a professional dashboard. It is advisable to use them when building your dashboard to ensure you give your customers the best experience.