Good dashboards reduce cognitive work
Start with the decisions and questions. Then decide which metrics and visual forms support them.
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Trend | Line chart |
| Comparison | Bar chart |
| Composition | Stacked / segmented view when appropriate |
| Relationship | Scatter plot |
| Single KPI | Large number with context |
Context matters
A dashboard should show period, target or baseline where relevant, filters, definitions and notable caveats. A beautiful chart with an unclear denominator is still a weak business artifact.