Did you know that over 50% of dashboard projects fail due to chaos, poor usability, and hitting the snooze button on publishing through never-ending iterations? Dashboard chaos can be an overwhelming experience, and if you’ve ever found yourself lost in a disorganised and inefficient dashboard creation process, you’re not alone. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of having a structured approach to dashboard building. We’ll discuss how the Turbocharged Build process can help you create fast, high-impact dashboards without compromising quality. By the end of this post, you’ll learn valuable techniques that can help reduce chaos and streamline your dashboard creation.
Understanding Dashboard Chaos
Creating dashboards should be a straightforward process, but many find themselves trapped in a cycle of chaos. This occurs when there is no clear process guiding the development, leading to:
- Endless Iterations: You find yourself cycling back to make changes over and over again, due to unclear objectives or, typically, shifting requirements. You know that phrase I remind you of…’Can you just…”.
- Poor Usability: Users become frustrated with overly complex dashboards that don’t provide the answers they need, resulting in analysis paralysis— navigating to insights becomes a shotgun approach of clicking to see what happens.
- Time Waste: Long build times instead of delivering impact, which can lead to missed deadlines, project failures, missed opportunities and frustrated clients or colleagues.This chaos could be avoided with the right tools and methods. Understanding and recognising the pitfalls of this chaos lays the foundation for a better building process.
The Importance of a Structured Build Approach
By adopting a structured approach to building dashboards, you can not only save time but also enhance the quality of your dashboard. Here are several benefits of a structured build:
- Agreed Objectives and Scope: Setting your goals and defining the scope of your dashboard allows you to work towards a common purpose. No one likes a floundering team, like sheep without a shepherd. It prevents scope creep which leads to dissatisfaction. Whats NOT in scope is just as important to agree as what is in scope.
- Consistent Process: A proven structure for dashboard building minimises uncertainty and establishes a consistent workflow, ensuring everyone on the team is aligned. A bit like “Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre.” (Although don’t be like my Gran, bless her, who religiously followed those steps regardless of what was in her mirror…luckily she was never in an accident…although she saw 100’s…)
- User-Centric Design: Focusing on the needs and skills of your end-users facilitates the creation of intuitive dashboards that promote engagement and usability; no one likes a dashboard with even a 2 page user manual.
The Turbocharged Build Process
So, what is the Turbocharged Build process, and how does it work? This process has been designed to create high-impact dashboards quickly and effectively. Here are the core outcomes defined by the three modules involved in the Turbocharged Build phase: Proven Process, Scope Agreed, and Templates Selected.
1. Proven Process
The Turbocharged Build phase begins by establishing a documented, proven process. This process outlines each step necessary for effective dashboard creation, including suggesting best practices to follow along the way. It’s essential that all stakeholders are aware of the process that you will go through, together. People like processes described by models – show them and be flexible for each dashboard project.
2. Scope Agreed
The next step is to gain alignment on the project’s scope. This involves collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that everyone agrees on the goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and the overall vision. The clearer your agreement on scope, the less likely you’ll face scope creep during execution. Try and avoid “Nice to Have’s” that are “A pain in the asset” to build.
3. Templates Selected
You can now choose appropriate templates that are suitable for your project. Selecting pre-built templates can save time and maintain design consistency across dashboards. This decision significantly reduces the time needed for initial visual setup, allowing you to focus on meaningful insights that truly help users take action. No unnecessary fluff, like buying a car with a tow hitch…just in case…
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Turbocharged Build Process
With our established outcomes, let’s take a closer look at how the Turbocharged Build process is executed:
1. Define Clear Objectives
Start by gathering stakeholders’ input to define the specific goals and metrics the dashboard should address. This ensures everyone is on the same page from the beginning—not lost in a field with no GPS signal!
2. Wireframing
Develop wireframes as a visual representation of the dashboard layout. Wireframes help visualise how data will flow and interact within the dashboard. They enable early user feedback before extensive development begins, allowing you to nip any potential problems in the bud. “Fail early!’ is a common cry in our coaching sessions. It save so much time.
3. Ideation and Planning
Engage in brainstorming sessions to outline ideas. Next, create a detailed project plan that includes timelines, responsibilities, and resources needed.
4. Defined Iterations
Approach your build with defined iterations tailored to the different starting position of this dashboard development project. For instance, you could have a basic version with essential features followed by iterations that progressively incorporate added functionality based on user testing and feedback. If upgrading or making over a built dashboard then no need for step 5 perhaps, but decide on where you will agree on the scope – document, wireframe tool and / or Tableau?
5. Rapid Prototyping
Instead of developing the entire dashboard in one go, use rapid prototyping. Create mockups ( maybe hi-fi wireframes) that represent the dashboard layout and features. Gather feedback from stakeholders during this phase to refine the design before moving forward.
6. Execution
Once the design is agreed upon, it’s time for the real magic—execution! Follow your structured plan while staying flexible to minor iterations based on continuous feedback. Make use of visualisation best practices to enhance data clarity and impact.
7. Feature Backlogs for Future Versions
As development continues, it’s crucial to maintain a feature backlog that outlines enhancements for future versions. This helps avoid feature creep and keeps the project organised for future releases, like a well organised toolbox.
8. Testing and Optimisation
Finally, conduct user testing to identify usability issues, check for data accuracy, and optimise performance. Be open to making adjustments based on feedback, and ensure the dashboard is delivering the intended value as effectively as a trusty umbrella during a British downpour.
Best Practices for Fast, High-Impact Dashboards
To further enhance dashboard projects, here are some best practices:
- Leverage Existing Templates and Resources: Utilise pre-built templates and established visualisation best practices to jumpstart projects and reduce development time.
- Automate Data Updates: Streamline processes by setting up automated data refresh mechanisms. This saves time and increases reliability.
- Engage Users Early: Involve end-users from the very start to identify their needs, preferences, and pain points. After all, who better to consult than the very people who will be using your dashboard?
- Focus on Core Metrics: Avoid overwhelming users with too much information. Limit the dashboard to essential, actionable metrics that provide clear insights. Too much information is like having too many traffic lights and lanes at a junction. It seems like a great idea but an accident is surely going to happen.
Common Challenges and Solutions
While adopting a structured dashboard-building process can dramatically improve results, there are common challenges that may arise:
- Resistance to Change: Team members who are used to a different way of working may resist adopting a new process. To counter this, provide training and emphasise the benefits of the new methodology.
- Scope Creep: As dashboards are developed, the temptation to add unnecessary features can complicate projects. Stay disciplined to your agreed-upon objectives and scope—keeping both eyes on the road ahead means you’re more likely to actually reach your destination, more quickly.
- Data Quality Issues: Anytime data is involved, concerns about accuracy might arise. Implement strong data governance practices to ensure you are working with reliable sources. Even with data issues, it’s possible that you can enable some useful decision making, just make sure people are aware of the limitations.
Recap and The Way Forward
The dashboard creation process doesn’t have to be chaotic, cluttered with endless revisions and user dissatisfaction. Instead, embracing the Turbocharged Build process can empower you to build faster and deliver high-impact dashboards that fulfill user needs. By defining clear objectives upfront, utilising rapid prototyping, and adhering to best practices, you can mitigate common challenges and improve overall effectiveness.
In summary:
- Embrace structure to foster clarity and minimise chaos—don’t let your projects fall apart like using a dodgy mechanic.
- Engage users to create value-driven products—after all, it’s their dashboard, not yours!
- Constantly gather feedback, analyse usage and continue to engage with users — because the fun doesn’t stop as soon as its published!
By following the principles laid out in this post, you can not only deliver dashboards quickly and efficiently but also ensure quality that meets and exceeds expectations.
Need a dashboard fast without cutting corners? I’m currently Beta testing the latest amendments to this process and building a few dashboards for clients. Get in touch by DM or email, and let’s get to work!
