How to create a dashboard

Consider the dashboard of a car: in it, the driver can see the most important data: speed, RPM, mileage, etc. The dashboard displays decision-making information, in a graphical manner, in a single place.

The information dashboards should comply with the same requirements:

Although not necessarily copying the model of a car! This is a mistake. There are better ways to graphically display information.

So, we take a few charts, some tables and we throw them all together in one screen, right?

Uh… nope.

 

What makes a good dashboard?

• It contains the requested information (obvious? Not always!)
• It has readable text with high contrast (black over white, or some other light shading).
• It highlights the key information.
  • Charts are easy to find.
  • The problems are marked with icons or in bold letters.
  • The important information is generally at the upper left or lower right side.
• It has no more than 5 or 6 data containers.
• It displays useful data to make decisions.
  • Comparisons against goals, previously set standards or historical data.
• It doesn’t require vertical or horizontal scrolling. All the information is shown in the same screen.
  • If you have a lot of information, you can use tabs.
  • If you must, use multiple screens. But remember: the key is to keep all the data related to each other in the same screen.
• Its graphics have a high data/ink ratio without chartjunk.
• It displays the right charts according to the type of data.
• What seems interactive, is interactive. The charts offer details and drill-down when you click on them.

But I think the most important thing is that the dashboard tells a story, or helps you tell a story and, above all else, is esthetically simple. No color degradations or images with shading or use of 3D. Imagine for a second that your car displayed your speed with a 3D chart, would you be able to read it so easily? Would you be able to make right decisions? I don’t think so. Have that in mind when designing a dashboard.

Inspiration

At Excelcharts you can get various dashboard examples made in excel. If you need a little more spiritual aid, I recommend Information Dashboard Design, de Stephen Few.  A short and easy to read book; ruthless when it comes to tearing down old notions and clear when teaching the principles of good design for dashboards and reports in general.