Dashboards are valuable tools for presenting critical information that aids businesses and organizations in making informed decisions and adjusting strategies to ensure goals are met. However, the process requires careful consideration with users’ needs at the center, and design best practices should be followed to enhance the power of these analytical tools.
Key Facts
- Structure: Divide the information between different dashboards to allow users to focus on specific sets of data or metrics. This helps avoid overwhelming users by presenting all the information at once.
- Navigation: Ensure that users can easily move between different dashboards or sections within a dashboard. This includes global navigation components like menus, as well as local or contextual navigation elements like tooltips, links, and drills.
- Hierarchy: Organize the information in a logical and visual manner to help users quickly identify the most important information and explore more details as needed. This includes both logical hierarchy, based on the significance or importance of the information, and visual hierarchy, which guides the user’s attention through the most important elements on the page.
- Grouping: Organize similar information together on a dashboard to allow users to compare and gain insights from different metrics and trends. This can be done by grouping information onto separate dashboards or concentrating them into sections on a single dashboard.
- Labeling: Use clear, concise, and consistent labels to help users understand and interpret the data displayed on the dashboard. Avoid abbreviations and technical terms that may confuse users.
- Filtering: Provide users with the ability to filter the displayed information so they can focus on the most relevant data. This can be done through drop-down menus, interactive elements like buttons or sliders, or other filtering mechanisms.
Structure
Dividing information between different dashboards allows users to focus on specific data sets, avoiding overwhelming them with excessive information. A logical structure enables users to grasp the available information’s width and depth, allowing them to concentrate on areas of interest and explore details.
Navigation
Navigation is crucial for efficient dashboard usage, enabling users to move between different dashboards or sections with ease. Global navigation components, such as menus, and local or contextual navigation elements, including tooltips, links, and drills, contribute to effective navigation. Drills allow users to explore selected data points in more detail, providing a different view or context.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy refers to the organization of information in a logical and visual manner. Logical hierarchy is determined by the relationships and connections between different pieces of information, while visual hierarchy guides the user’s attention through the most important elements on the page. The combination of logical and visual hierarchies creates an effective and user-friendly design.
Grouping
Grouping similar information together allows users to compare and gain insights from different metrics and trends. This can be achieved by grouping information onto separate dashboards or concentrating them into sections on a single dashboard. Grouping metrics or trends by category is a common approach, enabling users to compare metrics between categories and identify patterns and trends.
Labeling
Clear and concise labels are essential for users to understand and interpret the data displayed on the dashboard. Labels help users find the information they need quickly and parse through different sections easily. Abbreviations and technical terms should be avoided to ensure clarity and accessibility.
Filtering
Filtering allows users to refine the displayed data, focusing on the most relevant information. Drop-down menus and interactive elements like buttons or sliders are commonly used to implement filtering mechanisms. Filtering empowers users to explore specific aspects of the data and gain deeper insights.
Conclusion
By following these six design principles, dashboard creators can enhance the effectiveness and user-friendliness of their dashboards. These principles ensure that dashboards are intuitive, easy to navigate, and provide users with the ability to extract valuable insights from the data.
References
- Kocian, V. (2023, January 20). Six Principles of Dashboards’ Information Architecture. GoodData Developers. https://medium.com/gooddata-developers/six-principles-of-dashboards-information-architecture-5487d84c20c4
- Calzon, B. (2023, April 5). 25 Dashboard Design Principles & Best Practices To Enhance Your Data Analysis. Datapine. https://www.datapine.com/blog/dashboard-design-principles-and-best-practices/
- Suman, S. (2023, November 10). 6 design tips to create stunning Power BI dashboards. datadice. https://www.datadice.io/blog/6-design-tips-to-create-stunning-power-bi-dashboards
FAQs
What is the purpose of dashboard design principles?
Dashboard design principles provide a framework for creating effective and user-friendly dashboards. By following these principles, dashboard creators can ensure that their dashboards are intuitive, easy to navigate, and provide users with the ability to extract valuable insights from the data.
What are the six key dashboard design principles?
The six key dashboard design principles are:
- Structure
- Navigation
- Hierarchy
- Grouping
- Labeling
- Filtering
How does structure help in dashboard design?
Structure involves dividing information between different dashboards to allow users to focus on specific data sets. It helps avoid overwhelming users with excessive information and enables them to grasp the available information’s width and depth, allowing them to concentrate on areas of interest and explore details.
Why is navigation important in dashboard design?
Navigation is crucial for efficient dashboard usage, enabling users to move between different dashboards or sections with ease. It includes global navigation components, such as menus, and local or contextual navigation elements, including tooltips, links, and drills. Drills allow users to explore selected data points in more detail, providing a different view or context.
How does hierarchy contribute to effective dashboard design?
Hierarchy refers to the organization of information in a logical and visual manner. Logical hierarchy is determined by the relationships and connections between different pieces of information, while visual hierarchy guides the user’s attention through the most important elements on the page. The combination of logical and visual hierarchies creates an effective and user-friendly design.
What is the purpose of grouping in dashboard design?
Grouping involves organizing similar information together to allow users to compare and gain insights from different metrics and trends. This can be achieved by grouping information onto separate dashboards or concentrating them into sections on a single dashboard. Grouping metrics or trends by category is a common approach, enabling users to compare metrics between categories and identify patterns and trends.
Why is labeling important in dashboard design?
Clear and concise labels are essential for users to understand and interpret the data displayed on the dashboard. Labels help users find the information they need quickly and parse through different sections easily. Abbreviations and technical terms should be avoided to ensure clarity and accessibility.
How does filtering enhance dashboard usability?
Filtering allows users to refine the displayed data, focusing on the most relevant information. Drop-down menus and interactive elements like buttons or sliders are commonly used to implement filtering mechanisms. Filtering empowers users to explore specific aspects of the data and gain deeper insights.