How do you create easy-to-use GIS dashboards?

1 Know your purpose and audience

Before you start creating your dashboard, you need to define your purpose and audience. What is the main question or problem you want to answer or solve with your dashboard? Who are the intended users and what are their needs and expectations? How will they access and interact with your dashboard? These questions will help you determine the scope, content, and layout of your dashboard, as well as the appropriate level of detail, complexity, and interactivity.

2 Choose the right tools and data

Depending on your purpose and audience, you may need different tools and data sources to create your dashboard. For example, if you want to create a simple dashboard with static data, you can use a spreadsheet or a web-based tool like Google Data Studio or Tableau Public. If you want to create a more dynamic and interactive dashboard with real-time or near-real-time data, you may need a GIS software or platform like ArcGIS Online or QGIS that can connect to various data sources and services. You also need to ensure that your data is accurate, relevant, and reliable, and that you have the necessary permissions and licenses to use it.

3 Design for clarity and simplicity

A good dashboard should be clear and simple, not cluttered and confusing. You should use a consistent and intuitive layout that guides the user through the dashboard and highlights the most important information. You should also use a coherent and appealing color scheme that matches your theme and branding, and avoid using too many colors or conflicting colors that distract or mislead the user. You should also use appropriate fonts, icons, and labels that are easy to read and understand, and avoid using jargon or acronyms that may confuse the user.

4 Use the right maps and charts

Maps and charts are the core elements of any GIS dashboard, as they show the spatial patterns and relationships of your data. However, not all maps and charts are suitable for every dashboard. You should choose the right map and chart types that best represent your data and analysis, and avoid using unnecessary or misleading map and chart features that may distort or obscure your data. For example, you should use a choropleth map to show the distribution of a variable by area, but not to show the absolute values or counts of a variable. You should also use a bar chart to compare discrete categories, but not to show continuous trends or changes over time.

5 Add interactivity and functionality

Interactivity and functionality can enhance the user experience and engagement of your dashboard, as they allow the user to explore, filter, zoom, select, and customize the data and analysis. However, you should not add interactivity and functionality for the sake of it, but only when they serve a specific purpose and add value to your dashboard. You should also make sure that the interactivity and functionality are easy to use and understand, and that they do not compromise the performance or security of your dashboard. For example, you can add a slider or a dropdown menu to let the user change the time period or the geographic level of the data, but you should not add a complex or obscure widget that requires the user to input a code or a password.

6 Test and refine your dashboard

Before you publish or share your dashboard, you should test and refine it to ensure that it works properly and meets your purpose and audience's needs. You should check for any errors, bugs, or glitches that may affect the functionality or appearance of your dashboard. You should also check for any data quality or accuracy issues that may affect the validity or reliability of your analysis. You should also solicit feedback from your colleagues, clients, or users, and use their suggestions and comments to improve your dashboard. You should also monitor and update your dashboard regularly, especially if you use dynamic or live data sources that may change over time.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?