10 crucial considerations when building a BI dashboard

There’s no doubt that a well-designed BI dashboard can provide you with insights into your business performance and help you make better decisions. But what makes a great BI dashboard? And how can you be sure that your dashboard is meeting your needs?

BI tools have come a long way in recent years, and there are now many different options available on the market. With so many BI tool options that have a variety of features, it can be difficult to know where to start.

To help you out, we’ve put together a list of 10 things you should consider when building a BI dashboard in order to make it effective.

What is a BI dashboard?

Business intelligence involves making decisions based on data. In order to make informed decisions, you need to have access to the right data. This is where BI dashboards come in.

A dashboard is a visual display of information that presents data in an easy-to-understand way. It can be used to track key metrics and performance indicators to spot trends and patterns.

BI dashboards are an essential tool for decision-makers as they provide a quick and easy way to see what’s going on in your business. By using a dashboard, you can identify areas that need attention and make decisions that will improve your bottom line.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s take a look at 10 considerations that should be on your mind as you build a BI dashboard:

1. Goal setting

The first step in any business intelligence project is to set goals. Goals are the foundation of any functional dashboard, as they provide a way to measure success.

What do you want to achieve? What problems do you want to solve? What decisions do you want to make? Once you’ve answered these questions, you can start to look for dashboard features that will help you achieve your goals.

When you identify your goals, try to be as specific as possible. The more specific your goals are, the easier it will be to build a dashboard that meets your needs.

2. Data selection

The next step is to select the data that you’re going to include in your dashboard. This data should be relevant to your goals and should come from a reliable source.

Be sure that the data you use to build your dashboard is accurate and up-to-date. Outdated data can lead to inaccurate conclusions and poor decision-making.

It’s also important to select data that is easy to understand. Data visualization is an important part of dashboard design, but if the data is too complex, it will be difficult to present it in a way that is easy to understand.

3. Visual design

Once you’ve selected the data for your dashboard, it’s time to start thinking about visual design. The way the data is presented can have a significant impact on the way it is interpreted.

When designing your dashboard, be sure to use charts and graphs that are easy to follow. Avoid using too much data in one chart or graph, as this can make the information difficult to interpret.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind when it comes to dashboard design:

• Use colors wisely. Too many colors can be confusing, so stick to a limited color palette.
• Use fonts that are easy to read. Sans-serif fonts are generally best for dashboard design.
• Use white space to your advantage. White space can help improve the legibility of the different elements of the dashboard.

4. Layout

The layout of your dashboard is just as important as the visual design. A well-designed dashboard should be easy to navigate and should allow users to find the information they need quickly and easily.

When designing the layout for your dashboard, think about the way users will interact with it. What is the user flow? Where will users go to find the information they need?

Be sure to group dashboard elements logically. For instance, you might want to put all of the charts and graphs that relate to a specific goal in one place. This will make it easier for users to find the information they need.

5. Functionality

Your dashboard should be more than just a pretty picture. It should be functional and user-friendly.

When designing your dashboard, be sure to consider the ways in which users will interact with it. What features do you want to include? How will users use these features?

Some common dashboard features include:

• Data filters: Data filters allow users to select the data they want to see. This is useful for dashboard designers as it allows them to focus on specific data sets.
• Drill-downs: Drill-down capabilities allow users to “drill down” into data sets to see more detailed information. This is a useful way to allow users to explore data sets in more depth.
• Export options: Export options allow users to download or print dashboard data. This can be useful for users who want to share dashboard data with others.

The better you understand how users will interact with your dashboard, the easier it will be to design a user-friendly and effective dashboard.

6. Interactivity

Interactive dashboards are more engaging and allow users to explore data in more depth. If your dashboard is static, there is less room for exploration and discovery.

When designing an interactive dashboard, think about the ways in which users can interact with the data. What sort of interactions would be most useful? How can you make these interactions easy to use?

Some common dashboard interactions include hover, click, and drag-and-drop. These interactions allow users to navigate dashboard data in a way that is natural and easy to use.

7. Usability

Usability is a critical aspect of dashboard design. A dashboard that is difficult to use will be less effective than one that is easy to use.

When designing your dashboard, be sure to consider the ways in which users will interact with it. How easy is it to use? How intuitive is the structure?

Be sure to test your dashboard with real users before you launch it. This will help you identify any usability issues that need to be addressed.

8. Accessibility

Your dashboard should be accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities. When designing your dashboard, be sure to consider the needs of users with disabilities.

There are a few things you can do to make your dashboard more accessible:

• Use high-contrast colors: High-contrast colors make it easier for users with vision impairments to see dashboard data.
• Use large fonts: Large fonts are easier for users with vision impairments to read.
• Include alt text: Alt text provides a description of dashboard elements for users who are unable to see them.

9. Compatibility

Your dashboard should be compatible with all major browsers and devices. When designing your dashboard, be sure to test it on a variety of browsers and devices. This will help you ensure that all users can access your dashboard.

For example, sales reps or field workers might need to access your dashboard from their mobile phones. Be sure to test your dashboard on a variety of devices to ensure that it works as intended.

10. Shareability

Your dashboard should be easy to share with others. When designing your dashboard, be sure to consider the ways in which users will share it.

Whether you intend to utilize your dashboard internally or share it with clients, be sure to design it in a way that makes sharing easy. Determine your key metrics and display them prominently on your dashboard. Then, determine which stakeholders will need to see your dashboard and how often.

Effective dashboards are built on a solid foundation

A dashboard is only as robust as the foundation it’s built on. If your data is inaccurate, your dashboard will be inaccurate. If your dashboard isn’t user-friendly, no one will use it.

Keep these 10 dashboard-building principles in mind to ensure that your dashboard is effective and impactful. With a well-designed dashboard, you can make better decisions, improve your business performance, and drive growth.