Lesson 12
Information Dashboard Design
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Content
- Introducing information dashboard
- Information dashboard design best practices
- Common mistakes in dashboard design
- Ideal graphs for information dashboard
- Bullet graph
- Sparklines
- Bandlines
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Introducing information dashboard
Source: Stephen Few (2006) Information Dashboard Design
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Introducing information dashboard
Why are dashboards so important?
- A well-designed performance dashboard helps you to see more clearly by helping you to understand each fact more quickly so you can find patterns in the storm.
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Introducing information dashboard
Classifying Dashboards by Role
- Dashboards for strategic purpose
- Dashboards for operational purpose
- Dashboards for analytics purpose
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Introducing information dashboard
Dashboards for operational purpose
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Introducing information dashboard
Dashboards for strategic purpose
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Introducing information dashboard
Dashboards for analytics purpose
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Evolution of information dashboard
Traditional Dashboard and Reporting Tools
SAP-Business Objects
SAS Web Reporting Studio
Oracle Hyperion
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Evolution of information dashboard
Second Generation Information Dashboard
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Evolution of information dashboard
Second Generation Information Dashboard
- Excel-based dashboard is inexpensive
- Excel-based dashboard does not required costly and time-consuming training
- Excel-based dashboard is very flexible
- Excel-based dashboard is seamlessly integrated with spreadsheet’s advanced modelling functions
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Evolution of information dashboard
Second Generation Information Dashboard
Tableau
SpotFire
Panopticon
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Evolution of information dashboard
Third Generation Information Dashboard
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
- Preparing stage
- Target the user
- Know what value your dashboard will add
- Display only actionable information
- Design stage
- Right tool for the right job
- Context
- Layout and clarity
- Visual aesthetics
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Preparing stage: Target the user
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Preparing stage: User-centered Design Process
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Preparing stage: A User-Centric Dashboard Design Guide
- Who is my target audience?
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What value will the dashboard add?
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What type of dashboard am I creating?
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Preparing stage: A User-Centric Dashboard Design Guide
- Who is my target audience?
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Preparing stage: A User-Centric Dashboard Design Guide
- What value will the dashboard bring?
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Preparing stage: A User-Centric Dashboard Design Guide
- What value will the dashboard bring?
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Help management define what is important.
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Educate people in the organization about the things that matter.
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Set goals and expectations for specific individuals or groups.
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Help executives sleep at night because they know what’s going on.
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Encourage specific actions in a timely manner.
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ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Preparing stage: A User-Centric Dashboard Design Guide
- What value will the dashboard bring?
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Highlight exceptions and provide alerts when problems occur.
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Communicate progress and success.
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Provide a common interface for interacting with and analysing important business data.
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ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Preparing stage: A User-Centric Dashboard Design Guide
- What type of dashboard am I creating?
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 13: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Preparing stage: A User-Centric Dashboard Design Guide
- Information Discrimination
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Find the core
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Ask a better question
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Push to the appendix
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Reporting vs exploration
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ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Preparing stage: A User-Centric Dashboard Design Guide
- Choosing the perfect metric
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Design stage
- Common mistakes in dashboard design
- Context
- Layout and clarity
- Visual aesthetics
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
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Exceeding the boundaries of a single page
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Supplying inadequate context for the data
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Displaying excessive detail or precision
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Exposing measure indirectly
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Choosing inappropriate display media
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Introducing meaningless variety
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Using poorly designed display media
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Encoding quantitative data inaccurately
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
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Arranging information poorly
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Highlighting important information ineffectively or not at all
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Clustering the display with visual effects
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Misusing or overusing colour
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Designing an unattractive visual display
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
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Exceeding the boundaries of a single page
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Requiring the viewer to scroll
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ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
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Exceeding the boundaries of a single page
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Fragmenting data into separate screen
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ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Supplying Inadequate Context for the Data
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Supplying Inadequate Context for the Data
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Displaying excessive detail or precision
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Choosing a deficient measure
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Choosing inappropriate display media
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Introducing meaningless variety
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
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Using poorly designed display media such as 3D
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Encoding quantitative data inaccurately
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Arranging the data poorly
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Highlighting important data ineffectively or not
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
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Appropriate used of highlighting
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
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Cluttering the display with useless decoration
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
Misusing or overusing colour
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Designing an unattractive visual display
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Design that failed to reveal KPIs effectively
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
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Design that reveals KPIs effectively
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Design with poor layout and clarity
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Design with good layout and clarity
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Design with poor visual aestheticsness
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Design with good visual aestheticsness
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Best Practices for Dashboard Design
Common mistakes in dashboard design
-
Design with good visual aestheticsness
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Right tool for the right job
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Poor choice of visual representation
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Right tool for the right job
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Appropriate choice of visual representation
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Right tool for the right job
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An assortment of typical dashboard gauges
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Bullet Graphs
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Bullet graphs to replace gauges
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Bullet Graphs
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Bullet graph specifications
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Bullet Graphs
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Alternative design
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Bullet Graphs
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Alternative design
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Sparklines
- A sparkline is a very small line chart, typically drawn without axes or coordinates.
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Sparklines
- Unintentional optical clutter
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Sparklines
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Aspect ratio: A graphic's width/height ratio makes a big difference in displaying data.
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Sparklines
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Aspect ratio consideration
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Sparklines
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How should a sparkline aspect ratio be chosen?
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Sparklines
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Enriched with context
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Sparklines
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Use reference line to provide context
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Sparklines
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Use reference region to provide context
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Sparklines
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Sparklines for Excel
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Sparklines
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Microsoft Excel’s Sparklines ribbon
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introduction to Sparklines
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Limitation: featuring patterns and magnitude together
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introducing bandlines
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introducing bandlines
- How to interpret bandlines?
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introducing bandlines
- How to interpret bandlines?
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introducing bandlines
- Bandlines with magnitude information
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
Ideal graphs for information dashboard
Introducing bandlines
- Bandlines use case
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
References
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A Guide to Creating Dashboards People Love to Use (http://static.squarespace.com/static/52f42657e4b0b3416ff6b831/t/5310292ce4b08d35a87c9426/1393568044420/Guide_to_Dashboard_Design.pdf)
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5 Best Practices for Creating Effective Dashboards (http://www.tableausoftware.com/learn/whitepapers/5-best-practices-for-effective-dashboards)
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The Must Do’s of Marketing Dashboards (http://www.tableau.com/sites/default/files/media/whitepaper_mustdosofmarketingdashboards_eng_3.pdf)
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Making Flow Happen (http://www.tableau.com/learn/webinars/making-flow-happen-dashboards-persuade-inform-and-engage)
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With Dashboards: Formatting and layout Definitely Matter (http://www.perceptualedge.com/articles/Whitepapers/Formatting_and_Layout_Matter.pdf)
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Dashboard Design for real-Time Situation Awareness (http://www.perceptualedge.com/articles/Whitepapers/Dashboard_Design.pdf)
ISSS608 Visual Analytics and Applications
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
References
- Dashboard Design for Rich and Rapid Monitoring (http://www.perceptualedge.com/articles/visual_business_intelligence/dd_for_rapid_monitoring.pdf)
- Pervasive Hurdles to Effective Dashboard Design (http://www.perceptualedge.com/articles/visual_business_intelligence/pervasive_hurdles_to_dd.pdf)
- Why Most Dashboards Fail (http://www.perceptualedge.com/articles/misc/WhyMostDashboardsFail.pdf)
- Dashboard Confusion (http://www.perceptualedge.com/articles/ie/dashboard_confusion.pdf)
- Dashboard Confusion Revisited (http://www.perceptualedge.com/articles/visual_business_intelligence/dboard_confusion_revisited.pdf)
- Dashboard Design for at-a-glance monitoring (http://courses.ischool.berkeley.edu/i247/s10/lectures/Few-Dashboards.pdf)
IS428 Visual Analytics for Business Intelligence
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
References
- Bullet graph @wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullet_graph)
- Bullet Graph Design Specification (http://www.perceptualedge.com/articles/misc/Bullet_Graph_Design_Spec.pdf)
- Sparkline theory and practice (http://www.edwardtufte.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0001OR)
- Best Practices for Scaling Sparklines in Dashboard (http://www.perceptualedge.com/articles/visual_business_intelligence/best_practices_for_scaling_sparklines.pdf)
- Introducing Bandlines (https://www.perceptualedge.com/articles/visual_business_intelligence/introducing_bandlines.pdf)
IS428 Visual Analytics for Business Intelligence
Lesson 12: Information Dashboard Design
References
Blog
- Dashboard Design @ Perceptual Edge (http://www.perceptualedge.com/discussion.htm)
- ExcelChart (http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/dashboards/)
- Excel Dashboard (http://chandoo.org/wp/excel-dashboards/)
- ExcelUser (http://www.exceluser.com/excel_dashboards/index.htm)
ISSS608-Lesson12
By Kam Tin Seong
