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cloud.google.com·7h ago
Web Development
Smashing Magazine·Aug 26·5 min read
Rethinking Data Visualisation: A UX Approach To Dashboards That Actually Drives Decisions
TL;DR
Data visualisation often fails to drive decisions because it is not designed with the audience's needs in mind. By integrating user experience (UX) principles, dashboards can become effective tools for insight and action.
✦ Why It Matters
Start designing dashboards with your audience's specific questions in mind to drive actionable insights.
Key Takeaways
- Define specific operational questions before designing dashboards.
- Understand your audience's data literacy to tailor complexity.
- Focus on insights that drive decisions, not just data presentation.
- Use context to filter out unnecessary data and highlight key metrics.
Full Summary
Data visualization often fails to drive decisions because it is designed without a clear understanding of the context, audience, and desired insights. The article emphasizes that 80% of the work for effective dashboards occurs before any charts are created.
It advocates for defining specific operational questions, understanding the audience's data literacy, and clarifying what actions should result from the data presented. For instance, a context-first approach can lead to a focused dashboard that highlights critical metrics, while an audience-aware design tailors complexity to the user's needs.
The result is a dashboard that not only presents data but also facilitates informed decision-making, ultimately improving organizational outcomes.