How do you make your dashboard interactive and engaging for your audience?

1 Choose the right type of dashboard

Depending on your purpose and audience, you may need to create different types of dashboards. For example, a strategic dashboard shows the overall progress and goals of an organization, while an operational dashboard monitors the daily activities and tasks of a team. A tactical dashboard focuses on specific projects and initiatives, while an analytical dashboard explores data trends and patterns. Choose the type of dashboard that best suits your needs and aligns with your audience's expectations.

2 Select the most relevant KPIs

KPIs are the metrics that measure your performance and progress towards your objectives. They should be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Avoid cluttering your dashboard with too many or irrelevant KPIs, as this can confuse and overwhelm your audience. Instead, focus on the most important and meaningful ones that tell a clear and coherent story. You can also group or categorize your KPIs by theme, function, or priority to make them easier to compare and contrast.

3 Use appropriate charts and visuals

Charts and visuals are the core elements of a dashboard, as they help you communicate your data in a visual and engaging way. However, not all charts and visuals are created equal. You need to choose the ones that match your data type, KPIs, and message. For example, a pie chart is good for showing proportions, while a line chart is good for showing trends. A gauge or a thermometer is good for showing progress, while a map is good for showing location. You can also use icons, images, or colors to add some flair and personality to your dashboard.

4 Add interactivity and functionality

Interactivity and functionality are the features that make your dashboard more dynamic and user-friendly. They allow your audience to interact with your data and customize their view according to their preferences and needs. For example, you can add filters, sliders, or drop-down menus to let your audience select or change the data range, criteria, or category. You can also add drill-downs, pop-ups, or tooltips to let your audience explore more details or information about a specific data point or chart. You can also add buttons, links, or tabs to let your audience navigate to other dashboards or sources.

5 Optimize your layout and design

Layout and design are the aspects that affect the appearance and readability of your dashboard. They can make or break your dashboard's impact and effectiveness. You need to optimize your layout and design to ensure that your dashboard is clear, organized, and attractive. For example, you can use a grid or a hierarchy to arrange your charts and visuals in a logical and balanced way. You can also use white space, borders, or separators to create contrast and focus. You can also use fonts, colors, or themes to create consistency and harmony.

6 Test and refine your dashboard

The final step to make your dashboard interactive and engaging is to test and refine it. You need to check your dashboard for accuracy, clarity, and usability. You can also ask for feedback from your audience or other stakeholders to see if your dashboard meets their needs and expectations. You can also use analytics or surveys to measure your dashboard's performance and impact. Based on the results, you can make adjustments or improvements to your dashboard to enhance its quality and value.

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?