You’re a consultant with a big project. What are the best tools for creating professional dashboards?

Start with the key questions and work your way down. What are the goals? Who is the audience? What are the KPIs? From there, dive into the technicals and let the data inform your next move.

Before constructing your dashboard, clarify its purpose, audience, key questions, metrics, and update frequency. Tailoring these aspects ensures relevance and effectiveness in driving insights and decision-making.

For a big project, choosing the right tools for professional dashboards is crucial ??. Top recommendations include Tableau for its powerful visualization capabilities and user-friendly interface ?????. Microsoft Power BI is another excellent choice, known for its integration with other Microsoft products and robust data analysis features ????. For web-based dashboards, Google Data Studio offers great flexibility and connectivity with various data sources ????. Consider Qlik for its associative data modeling and interactive dashboards ????. Finally, Looker stands out for its advanced data exploration and customizable dashboard options ??. Each tool has unique strengths, so select based on your specific project needs and data complexity ??.

Simplicity and clarity are key principles while designing dashboards for effective decision making. Some of the best practices to ensure that dashboards are simple yet insightful would be a) Focus on key metrics b) Limit the number of metrics c) Use clear and intuitive visualisations d) Organise information logically e) Context and use the appropriate colour scheme and f) Lastly it should be user friendly

If it is a big project I wonder why you would focus on a dashboard? Or do you play a less important role in the project and are you given a minor task in the project? Communicating with all stakeholders is extremely important; the governance on who and what to communicate needs to be set up. A dashboard to show project progress and project results can be used but focus on getting the results, be able to measure the results and communicate them is more important. It is like the dashboard in a car; it does not make the drive better, faster, cheaper, etc.

When selecting data sources for a professional dashboard, it's crucial to prioritize relevance to the dashboard's objectives, ensuring sources are reliable, accurate, and comprehensive. The data should be accessible, easily integrable with your dashboard tools, and current enough for your needs. Consider the cost and efficiency of data acquisition, scalability for future needs, and compliance with legal and ethical standards. Also, factor in feedback from end-users to ensure the data meets their requirements. This approach ensures the chosen data sources effectively support the dashboard's goals while remaining practical and compliant.

When choosing data sources for your dashboard, consider factors like data type, format, quality, and accessibility. Ensure data cleanliness, consistency, reliability, and compliance with privacy regulations to optimize dashboard performance and user trust.

Check the data is future proof ie a reliable future stream or what the workaround or backup is if that data source fails. Robustness is as important as depth and relevance.

Escolha bem a fonte de dados, selecione os indicadores desejados e trabalhe as bases identificando as chaves que conectam os dados e sejam parte dos indicadores ou dos cálculos para obter os indicadores. Desenhe corretamente seu storytelling e escolha o programa que melhor lhe atenda. Eu uso o Power BI.

I recommend using Power BI or Tableau for their robust visualization capabilities, user-friendly interfaces, and seamless integration with various data sources. Power BI's intuitive drag-and-drop interface and extensive library of visualizations make it ideal for creating interactive dashboards. Tableau offers advanced analytics and customization options, making it suitable for complex data visualization needs. Leveraging data from SQL databases ensures reliability and scalability, facilitating real-time insights and informed decision-making. SQL databases provide structured, organized data that can be easily queried and analyzed, enabling consultants to create dynamic and impactful dashboards for clients' business intelligence needs.

The truth is, the best tool is the one you're able to use. There are plenty of powerful tools like Power BI and Tableau that can enable beautiful visualizations, but if your data doesn't plug into it cleanly, or you can't configure it, it's not right for you.

For basic dashboards, you can easily integrate Excel into the data stored in spreadsheets. Excel 360 has all what you need from Pivot Tables and Charts to Python to Copilot that will get you going in no time. This will save you time, money and the learning curve that comes with all other specialty tools like Tableau. You will also have the advantage of easily migrating to Power BI if you later decide you need a more specialized tool for your new larger projects.

Aquí hay algunas herramientas para crear cuadros de mando profesionales: Microsoft Power BI: Power BI es una herramienta de Microsoft que permite visualizar datos y compartir información de manera interactiva. Ofrece conectividad con una variedad de fuentes de datos y proporciona herramientas de análisis poderosas. Tableau: es conocido por su capacidad para generar visualizaciones avanzadas y cuadros de mando interactivos Ofrece una amplia gama de conectores de datos y es utilizado por muchas empresas para análisis de datos y presentación de informes. Google Data Studio: Esta herramienta de Google permite crear informes y paneles interactivos utilizando datos provenientes de diversas fuentes de Google, así como de otras fuentes externas

Some advanced dashboard tools include: +Microsoft Power BI: Offers powerful data visualization and business intelligence capabilities. With Microsoft Fabric it is a robust integrated tool. +Tableau: Known for its robust data analytics and visualization features. With Sales force! +Qlik Sense: Provides associative data modeling and interactive dashboards. +Looker: A data platform that enables exploration and discovery of insights. +Sisense: Allows for data integration and advanced analytics on a single platform. +Domo: Offers a cloud-based business intelligence platform with customizable dashboards. +Google Data Studio: +Kibana (Elastic Stack):A visualization tool for Elasticsearch data. +Grafana: +TIBCO Spotfire:

Choosing a tool depends on multiple considerations: 1. Level of client's proficiency 2. Complexity of visualizations 3. Compatibility with data sources of the client 4. Price of licensing It depends on what factor is of higher priority for you. For E.g., Power BI offers easy compatibility with excel and mostly comes with your MS office license, Tableau is much more user friendly but needs a separate license purchase for you and the client.

Start by prioritizing essential info & placing critical KPIs like monthly sales or customer satisfaction at the top or center. Group related data like revenue, expenses, profit margins can be clustered together as financial metrics. Be consistent in design, use uniform colors & fonts. Use white space to separate sections, prevent overcrowding. Use clear & descriptive labels - "Q1 Sales Growth” vs. “Q1” layout should have a logical flow to go from overview to details. ensure filters or dropdown are intuitive & easy to use. Select suitable visualizations, like line chart for tracking revenue trend, bar charts for comparisons. Focus on accessibility- use high-contrast colors, larger fonts, screen reader compatibility & logical navigation.

In the finance sector, tools like Tableau, Power BI, and Google Data Studio are popular for creating professional dashboards. When designing the layout, prioritize key financial metrics, such as revenue, expenses, and profitability. Utilize interactive elements like filters and drill-downs to enable deeper financial analysis. For instance, users should be able to click on a summarized data point to view a more detailed breakdown. Ensure the dashboard is visually clear and logically organized, with ample white space to avoid clutter. This approach will help finance professionals make informed decisions based on clear, insightful data.

Market is full of apt tools that can be considered..naming top three that I have learned and applied so far 1- Tableu - Best for its visualisation capabilities and interactivenes 2- Power BI - Robustness with analytical and integration capabilities 3- Qlikview / Qliksense - Real time insights for large datasheets In addition to this, Google Data Studio seems promising but didn't get a chance to explore it yet

Focus on crafting a dashboard layout that communicates information effectively: 1. Use a Grid System: Ensure alignment and a clean layout. 2. Implement Hierarchy: Highlight key information through sizing, placement, and color. 3. Apply Visual Contrast: Utilize colors, fonts, and icons thoughtfully to create visual interest. 4. Visualize Data: Choose charts, graphs, and tables that best represent your data. 5. Enable Interactivity: Incorporate filters, slicers, and drill-down features. 6. Clarify with Titles and Labels: Ensure every data visualization is clearly labeled with titles, annotations, and legends to explain what the data represents. 7. Embrace White Space: Avoid clutter by using white space and margins around elements.

Make sure your dashboard is built with your consumer in mind. It needs to be very easy to understand, intuitive and clutter free. There is much to be said for the phrase "Less is more"

Beyond basic checks for accuracy and usability, engage a diverse group for feedback, including potential end-users outside your immediate team, to gain broader perspectives. Consider incorporating advanced analytics features or AI-driven insights for dynamic data interpretation, adding depth and value to your presentations. This iterative process, enriched with wide-ranging feedback and cutting-edge functionalities, ensures your dashboard not only meets but exceeds expectations, providing a compelling narrative of your data-driven decisions. This approach solidifies your position as a forward-thinking leader, leveraging data visualization to drive impactful business strategies.

The first test of the dashboard is to see if its reflects and correlates to the project objectives well. Are the KPIs reflecting the reality? Are the results as per the KPIs meeting the mission's objectives? Another thing to check is does the Dashboard and the KPI reflect the truth - does the sample represent and correlate with the population? Is the feedback from the Customer match what the KPIs tell? And are the measurements matching the accuracy and precision required? The final aspect would be to check for the change reactivity - does the dashboard and KPIs point to changes and correlates with the actual field results? A true dashboard has the right KPIs for the mission with accuracy and precision, and correlate closely with reality.

Cuando ya tengas el panel de control establecido, con datos, configuración, etc. deberás comprobar que la interrelación de todos los datos ofrecen la información que estás buscando. Además es muy importante que tengas a tu lado el equipo suficiente como para poder testear la información y como se representa en él.

Most important things to check here: (1) Is it being used routinely? (2) Is it helping people make decisions and take actions. Dashboards are not there to look pretty. They are there to be used and help steer what the team is spending time doing (in order to realise the company goals).

Tell a story with your data. Effective design allows you to start building your data storytelling. Presenting data in a visual manner helps communicate your message as clearly as possible. A good practice for efficient data storytelling is to plan what charts you will include based on your audience and goals. This will help you be more focused when you actually start building your dashboard.

5 best practices to follow while designing and implementing dashboards in management consulting projects: 1. Client Objectives: Align the dashboard design with the client's strategic goals and key performance indicators 2. User-Centric Approach: Prioritize user experience by understanding the needs of stakeholders, ensuring the dashboard is easy to navigate 3. Data Quality Assurance: Rigorously maintain data accuracy to uphold the integrity of insights 4. Training and Support: Provide comprehensive training for end-users and ongoing support to facilitate seamless adoption and utilization 5. Scalability and Flexibility: Design a dashboard that is scalable for future needs and adaptable to changes in the business environment

Creating a management IT Solutions Architecture - or MIS - or Project specific dashboard is easier than you think. That said, don’t fall for the “one-trick-poney”. Which means don’t fall for just a visual tool, or a data aggregator, or just an ETL tool that masquerades as a dashboard. Practice the project to product conversion advocated my the likes of @Mic Kirsten of PlanView. This will give you the all encompassing dashboard you seek

Dashboards will need iterating over time. It's impossible to get them perfect before the team who should be benefiting from them, actually starts using them. Join the sessions where dashboards are used. Observe their use. Ask for feedback. Adjust over time to make them even more powerful.

1. Define your audience and goals: Tailor the dashboard to their specific needs and objectives. 2. Select the right data sources: Ensure accuracy, relevance, and timely updates. 3. Prioritize clear and concise visuals:Use intuitive charts, graphs, and color palettes. 4. Focus on interactivity:Enable users to explore and filter data for deeper insights. 5. Embrace storytelling:Use data to paint a compelling narrative, guiding users to key takeaways. ?? Pitfalls to Avoid : 1. Information overload: Don't overcrowd the dashboard, prioritize essential information. 2. Data inaccuracies: Ensure data hygiene and consistency across sources. 3. Inaccessible visuals: Choose charts suitable for the intended audience's understanding.

Top tools for professional dashboards in consulting projects include: #Tableau, known for powerful visualization #Microsoft Power BI, user-friendly with real-time analytics; #Google Data Studio, a free, cloud-based solution; #QlikView/Qlik Sense, offering dynamic exploration; #Domo, a comprehensive BI platform; #Looker, focused on data exploration; #Sisense, providing a single-stack solution; #Kibana, ideal for large datasets and Elasticsearch; #Excel for smaller-scale projects. Choose based on project needs, data sources, and collaboration features.