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Data dashboards: Purpose, process, and

principles

April Hendrickson, MAahendrickson@omni.org

Jen Shepherd, PhDjshepherd@omni.org

What is a dashboard?

What are some key features and benefits of a dashboard?

How to decide if a dashboard is right for you

Overview of the dashboard development process

Important design factors to consider

WHAT IS A DASHBOARD?

"Performance dashboards are visual and interactive displays

of the most critical information you need to make better decisions,

laid out strategically within the confines of a screen"

- Dundas Data Visualization, Inc.

"Visual display of

the most important information

needed to achieve one or more objectives

consolidated on a single screen (or page)

so it can be monitored and understood at a glance"

- Stephen Few

“Visual and interactive displays of

the most critical information

you need to make better decisions,

laid out strategically

within the confines of a screen" - Dundas Data Visualization, Inc.

"Visual display of the most important information

needed to achieve one or more objectives

which fits entirely on a single computer screen

so the information can be monitored at a glance" - Stephen Few

» 1980s-Executive Information Systems » 2000s-Need for increased transparency & more frequent monitoring

» Becoming popular in non-business industries

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» Track & show stakeholders in a variety of ways:

» Services provided

» Participation levels

» Progress

» Effectiveness/Outcomes

» Revenue

» Organizational/program strengths & areas for improvement

KEY FEATURES/BENEFITS

“Big picture” snapshot & details Interactive

Combine data from different sources Customizable

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HOW TO DECIDE IF A DASHBOARD IS A GOOD FIT FOR YOU

ongoing monitoring

dynamic data

users with different interests or goals

benefits outweigh costs

» FREE: Data-Explorer, Tableau Public

» LOW COST: Excel*, Tableau Desktop, DevExpress

» MORE EXPENSIVE: Tableau Server, IBM Cognos, Spotfire, Dundas, LogiAnalytics, Context!, Opticon,Jaspersoft, Pyramid Analytics, Qlikview, etc., etc., etc.

» Reasonably priced software

» Strict security options

» Unlimited or at least plentiful viewer accounts

» Data system compatibility - must connect to Excel, Access, and SQL

» Reasonable learning curve & implementation

» Support availability

» Available visualization options

DASHBOARD DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

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VisioningData

PreparationBlueprint

BuildRevise/Update

Demo

Adapted from Data Dashboard as Evaluation and Research Communication Tool (Smith, 2013).

» Can you evaluate what is going on?

» Is it easy to spot the areas that need attention?

» Does it provide enough context?

» Are the data well organized?

» Does the layout make sense?

» How does the dashboard support better monitoring and decision making?

» https://odash.omni.org/sbirtII/

» http://public.tableausoftware.com/views/CrisisHotlineSimulationDashboardV1/Dashboard6?:em

» http://public.tableausoftware.com/profile/omni#!/vizhome/ATR3/Dashboardbed=y&:display_count=no

» http://www.dundas.com/gallery/sample-dashboards/#call-center-dashboard

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http://chandoo.org/wp/2008/03/13/want-to-be-an-excel-conditional-formatting-rock-star-read-this/

IMPORTANT DESIGN FACTORS TO CONSIDER

“Elegance in communication is often achieved through

simplicity of design”

Stephen Few, Information Dashboard Design: The Effective Visual Communication of Data 2008

*Source: Stephen Few *Source: Stephen Few

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*Source: Dundas & Stephen Few

» Tables when details and/or precision is needed

» Bar graphs for categorical data

» Line graphs for trend data

» Avoid pie charts, bubble charts, radar graphs, and gauges

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

» Stephen Few: http://www.perceptualedge.com/

» Stephanie Evergreen: http://stephanieevergreen.com/author/evereval/

» ExcelUser-Excel Charts, Dashboards & Visualization Toolshttp://exceluser.com/excel_dashboards/index.htm

» Chandoo.org-33 Recommended Resources for Learning Dashboardshttp://chandoo.org/wp/2011/03/25/resources-for-making-dashboards/

OMNI Institute899 Logan Street, Suite 600Denver, CO. 80203

www.OMNI.orgtel: 303.839.9422 or 800.279.2070fax: 303.839.9420

Thank you!

April Hendrickson, MA

ahendrickson@omni.org

Jen Shepherd, PhD

jshepherd@omni.org