Before Building the Dashboard

Question 1

Before Building the Dashboard

Answer 1

1) Sketch it on paper
2) Prioritize elements
3) Placement of widgets
4) Group filters
5) Charts are for asking questions
6) Choose the right chart types
7) Choose the right data
8) Use container widgets

Question 2

Sketch it on paper

Answer 2

Step 1

- Sketch it on paper or a whiteboard

Question 3

Prioritize elements

Answer 3

Step 2

• top left to bottom right
• people start at the top left corner and work their way down
• place important elements where they will be noticed

Question 4

Placement of widgets

Answer 4

Step 3

• place high-level, easy-to-read, actionable widgets near the top left
• place widgets with supporting information lower

Question 5

Group Filters

Answer 5

Step 4

• group filters together at the top or left so they are quickly noticeable
• use a container widget to section them off in the dashboard

Question 6

Charts are for asking questions

Answer 6

Step 5

• a chart is a way to ask questions, not illustrate a conclusion
• a good dashboard invites the audience to drill down and seek more information

Question 7

Choose the right chart types

Answer 7

Step 6

• choose chart types based on the characteristics of the data
• don’t choose based on how a chart looks or to have variety

Question 8

Choose the right data

Answer 8

Step 7

• if a chart needs a lengthy caption or title, is it doing it’s job?
• well-chosen data speaks for itself

Question 9

Use container widgets

Answer 9

Step 8

- use container widgets to frame and organize related elements in the dashboard