The primary goal of an interactive information panel can be succinctly formulated as helping users make decisions. This is why the metrics on the dashboard are designed to be clear and understandable, the structure is organized, data grouping and interactivity are established.
A dashboard shows:
- how business goals are being achieved;
- how metrics change over time;
- comparisons between metrics, other periods, or planned values;
- trends and patterns in important metrics.
For this tool to be beneficial, it's not only important to have skillful data visualization, but also proficiency in working with data and processing it. Furthermore, the ability of an analyst to derive business value from data is crucial. Structuring the data in a way that the information panel genuinely aids in achieving goals is key.