What are the most common types of dashboard usability issues and how do you identify them?

1 Choose your testing method

There are various types of dashboard user testing methods that can be employed depending on your goals, resources, and stage of development. Heuristic evaluation is a systematic inspection of your dashboard based on usability principles or heuristics, and it can be done alone or with a team of experts. Usability testing is a direct observation of how real users interact with your dashboard in a controlled setting, and it can be recorded and analyzed using various tools and techniques. User interviews are a qualitative method to explore user needs, expectations, preferences, and opinions about the dashboard; they may be conducted before, during, or after usability testing or as a standalone method.

3 Conduct your testing session

To ensure the validity and reliability of data during dashboard user testing and interviews, it's important to follow some best practices. Brief participants, explain the purpose and process of the session, and obtain their consent by having them sign a form if needed. Moderate the session and observe the participants' actions, reactions, and comments. Guide them through tasks or scenarios, ask them to think aloud, but avoid leading or influencing their responses. Collect and document data using tools like screen recording, eye tracking, surveys, or notes. Label and organize your data for easy analysis.

4 Analyze your data and report your findings

After conducting dashboard user testing and interviews, analysis and reporting of findings is necessary. Review and synthesize data to look for patterns, themes, insights, or issues. Visualizing data with affinity diagrams, heat maps, or charts can be helpful. Identify and prioritize usability issues according to their impact and frequency. For each issue, provide recommendations and solutions with mockups, sketches, or wireframes. Explain the rationale and benefits of the proposed changes to improve dashboard design or functionality.

5 Learn from the most common types of dashboard usability issues

Dashboard usability issues are problems that can prevent or hinder your users from achieving their goals or tasks with your dashboard. These issues can affect various aspects, such as layout, navigation, interaction, visualization, or content. Common types of dashboard usability issues include a cluttered or crowded dashboard, which can overwhelm or confuse users; an inconsistent or unclear dashboard, which can reduce trust and understanding; an unresponsive or slow dashboard, which can frustrate users; and an irrelevant or inaccurate dashboard, which can mislead or misinform them. Poor performance or responsiveness can also affect the perception of the quality and reliability of your dashboard.