What are the key design principles for interactive dashboards?

When you create a dashboard, think about the people who will use it. Imagine choosing a movie: you’d pick one that matches your taste. Similarly, a user-friendly dashboard helps people make informed decisions. Knowing your audience ensures you present data in a way they understand.

Alguns pontos aqui que sempre levei em considera??o para um painel interativo: Usabilidade: O painel deve ser fácil de usar, com uma interface intuitiva que permita aos usuários interagir de forma eficiente e sem dificuldades. Clareza e simplicidade: O design deve ser claro e simples, com informa??es apresentadas de forma concisa e fácil de entender. Feedback visual: Deve haver um feedback visual claro para indicar quando uma a??o foi concluída com sucesso ou quando ocorreu um erro.

When creating a dashboard, knowing the requirements of the end user is of utmost importance. Creating a dashboard that is easy to navigate makes it easy to explain as well. For example, when creating a dashboard for data engineers within the team, about resource usage, mostly bar plots and line plots are shown to show the trend of resource usage over time. Whereas, when presenting the same to higher executives of the team, we present it as key performance indicator in terms of money (how resources shortage/ increase effects revenue). Hence, it is very important to know your audience, when developing dashboard visuals.

Some of the points to keep in mind: 1. Purpose of the dashboard 2. Intended Audience 3. User-friendly dashboard 4. Interactive dashboard like story telling 5. Recommend Actionable Insights

Key message: observe, don’t interview. Quite coincidental, we were actually working on revamping our merchant’s dashboard ourselves last year and one of the key insights that allowed us to create a highly adopted dashboard was to understand the drive & motive to use the dashboard since their overall adoption was on the point of sale which made sense, if you have a point of sale and you’re actively transacting, your trigger to open a financial dashboard could be quite minimal, checking balance/making a transfer etc. After a 3 week observation session on our merchants which proved so much valuable than interviewing, we were made aware of analytics-related actions on the dashboard, which could have only been captured through observation.

Different charts are effective at showing specific things - e.g. a bar chart for comparing values, a line chart for showing trends over time. Using the wrong chart can make it hard to see patterns or trends accurately. The right chart can draw attention to trends, patterns & comparisons. If the audience can't easily draw insights from the dashboards, then they will struggle to take action which is the goal of interactive dashboards.

First Keep it Simple and Intuitive Use Consistent Design Elements Prioritize Information Make it Responsive Use White Space Effectively Design for Speed Use Consistent Layout Keep the Dashboard Updated Maintain Data Accuracy and Source Reliability

Layout includes the right balance of charts, tables and text. Achieving the right balance along with the colour scheme is key to creating a grate dashboard that will communicate key information to stakeholders. Here are key points to consider: - Keep it simple and do not add everything in one dashboard - Showcasing key elements would be a great start - Use colour pallet in your dashboard - Use right mixture of charts, tables and texts. Approx. charts 70%, tables 20% & texts 10% will be a great ratio - Highlight key matrix Hope this will help you guys create better dashboards.

Considering factors such as the amount of data to be displayed, the types of visualizations used, and the preferences of the audience. Grid layouts arrange visualizations in a structured grid format, making it easy to organize and compare different elements. Scrollable layouts display a large amount of information within a confined space, allowing users to scroll through the content. Responsive layouts adjust the size and arrangement of visualizations based on the screen size and device used, ensuring a consistent user experience across different devices. Ultimately, the right layout will depend on the specific requirements and goals of the project.

After completing the visualizations, it's crucial to focus on the layout to make it interactive. Being mindful of where you place key performance indicators (KPIs) and arranging visuals in a logical flow helps to tell a coherent story leading to your analysis. The journey doesn't end there; ensuring a clean design by reviewing the overall structure is essential. I often explore various themes to match the problem at hand, ensuring that the colors used convey the meaning of the data effectively.

Choosing the right chart for your visualization is extremely important. The chart type used for a visualization directly impacts how effectively your data is communicated. Take into account the characteristics of your data and the narrative you aim to communicate. A carefully selected chart improves comprehension and captivates your audience more efficiently than a poorly selected one.

Choosing the right chart for data visualization is crucial for effectively conveying insights. Consider factors like data type, message clarity, and audience understanding. For quantitative data, bar charts or line graphs work well to show trends and comparisons, while pie charts are ideal for illustrating proportions. Scatter plots are useful for exploring relationships between variables. For categorical data, consider bar charts or histograms. Assessing these factors ensures your visualization aligns with the data and effectively communicates your message.

When selecting the appropriate chart or visual for your dashboard, it's important to consider your audience and their level of understanding. You should also choose visuals that are best suited for the type of data you're using and the insights you're trying to communicate.

Oh! This is tricky! In my point of view, every user has a preference, so its difficult to be perfect. However, try to be simple, not more than 3-data groups in a Chart. E.g. Planned Deliverables - Submitted Deliverables- In Progress Deliverables. I can go ahead and add accepted + rejected deliverables in some way too but that will make it too complex for a dashboard.

Choosing the right type of chart or graph can significantly enhance the audience's understanding of the data. Each type of graphic has its strengths and weaknesses, and selecting the most suitable one depends on the nature of the data, the message you want to convey, and the audience you're addressing.

Start with Filters. Everybody is used to filters! If you can link the whole dashboard with a single filter that would be great! Again I prefer Power BI.

Optimize interactivity: Provide interactive features that allow users to explore the data further and gain deeper insights. Implement features like filtering, sorting, drill-downs, and tooltips to enable users to interact with the data dynamically. However, ensure that the interactivity enhances usability without overwhelming users or sacrificing performance.

Make interactions user-friendly and relevant. Provide quick feedback and allow customization. Ensure accessibility and optimize performance. Test and refine based on user feedback. This makes data exploration effortless and efficient for users.

Interactivity adds a layer of engagement to your dashboard. Implement features such as filters, slicers, or drill-down options to empower users to interact with the data dynamically. Make your dashboard a fun interactive game. Let users click around, explore, and uncover hidden gems. It's not just about data; it's about creating an experience that makes users feel like they're in control, navigating their own data adventure.

Identify External Dependencies: Begin by identifying the external services, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), or resources that the interactive dashboard relies on. These could include data sources, third-party libraries, or services for authentication and authorization. Consider hosting critical dependencies locally, especially if they are essential for the core functionality of the dashboard. By hosting dependencies locally, you can reduce the reliance on external servers, minimizing the impact of network latencies. Leverage filters to enable users to interact with the data dynamically. Filters allow users to focus on specific subsets of data, reducing the amount of information displayed at once.

The integrity of data lies at the core of any dashboard. It's imperative to ensure absolute confidence in the data used for dashboard visualization. Whether sourced from internal company databases like ERP systems or external market data sources, such as stock exchanges, the accuracy and reliability of the data are non-negotiable. Any hint of doubt regarding the data quality compromises the dashboard's value and erodes user trust. Therefore, rigorous validation and cleansing processes are essential before integrating data into the dashboard. Consistency in data formats, scales, and units, along with clear labeling and documentation, further bolster data integrity.

Consider your data as the foundation of a skyscraper. You wouldn't want it wobbly. Regularly check for cracks, fix them up, and ensure it stands tall. Like a strong foundation, high-quality data supports your dashboard, making it reliable and trustworthy.

Link the Dashboard to the source or one step from Source data. If getting data from a ERP, link it to the database behind the ERP (if you can, considering security plus enterprise issues) or Link it to the excel report downloaded from the ERP!

To maintain reliable insights, prioritize data accuracy. Verify sources, clean data to remove errors, and integrate sources cohesively. Validate data for completeness and consistency, and establish governance for ongoing quality control. Regular monitoring and documentation aid in ensuring data integrity over time.

This aspect is probably the most important! Let’s think about it like this…you use data to tell a story. If the data is not cleaned properly and appropriately, your story will be false. A good rule of thumb is to always query your data using SQL, Python, Google Sheets, or Excel while creating dashboards using BI tools. This way you can compare numbers. Again, it’s very important that the story you tell is based on clean and accurate data or your story will not be one of truth. Which affects decisions that will be made.

Turn your data into a good story that people want to hear. Guide them through the peaks and valleys, highlight the important parts, and leave them with a sense of, "Oh, that makes sense!" It's not just data; it's a narrative that brings the numbers to life.

In the world of data analytics, storytelling isn't just a nice-to-have skill; it's the secret sauce that transforms raw information into meaningful insights. Think of your dashboard as the stage where your data story unfolds, where each chart and graph plays a role in shaping the narrative.

Tell a story with your data by creating a user friendly interactive dashboard that prioritize ease of use, clarity and engaging the user. Below are some design principles for crafting dashboards: 1. Putting Users First: The design should align with the tasks and decisions the dashboard aims to facilitate. 2. Embracing Simplicity: Keeping things simple helps maintain focus and promotes comprehension of the data displayed. 3. Utilizing Interactive Features: Integrate components like filters, dropdown menus and sliders that empower users to personalize their view or deep dive into data insights. 4. Storytelling and Context: Crafting a story can assist individuals in grasping the significance of the information and guiding their choices.

The main point of analysis is to make data simple to understand and ensure accurate decision making. Creating dashboards that tell a story is a perfect way to do that. Stakeholders would understand easily and overall aim of making the right decision is met.

Craft your dashboard story with a clear, engaging narrative that spotlights crucial insights and clearly conveys the impact of your solutions. Organize content logically, using visual cues to guide focus, and enrich with context for depth. Adding a dash of personality and emotion can make your data not only informative but also memorable and persuasive, transforming your data presentation into an engaging experience.

In addition to the core principles, performance optimization and responsiveness across various devices are crucial. Regularly seek user feedback to identify areas for improvement and ensure that the dashboard evolves with changing user needs. Adhering to accessibility standards is essential to make the dashboard inclusive and usable for all. Stay abreast of emerging trends in data visualization to continually enhance the effectiveness of your dashboards.

Think of what it is. A dashboard Break it down. It's a dash - which implies quick. And it it is a board, which is something you put things on. Or in! The most familiar dashboards are in cars. So you want to have something with a dial, preferably something that looks like a fuel gauge. Steer clear from anything that looks like a dashboard a pilot may see on a plane. Likely to scare people! Way too much data going on at the same time, very complicated to get the full picture at a glance.

For newcomers to dashboards, initiate a requirement review session, encouraging them to express their ideas through a low-level prototype. This could be as simple as sketches on a board or even on a tissue paper. This process ensures a shared vision, keeping the end goal in focus. Surpassing initial expectations with a more interactive output not only allows room for improvement but also elicits a positive response from the audience.

Additionally, it is better if there is room for feedback messages and error-handling mechanisms to help users understand and correct any issues they encounter.

I’d say do a mixture of couple of different things. 1) Study the data, and ensure data quality. 2) Importance of layout and colour. 3) Pick the right charts for the job. 3) Make it interactive by telling a story and tailoring it to your audience.