data dashboards: purpose, process, and principles€¦ · data dashboards: purpose, process, and...
TRANSCRIPT
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Data dashboards: Purpose, process, and
principles
April Hendrickson, [email protected]
Jen Shepherd, [email protected]
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
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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
Jen Shepherd, PhD