Dashbord Design: Considerations and Best Practices for MSME’s

Dashboards are a unique and powerful way to deliver data-driven intelligence using data
visualization techniques that display relevant, actionable data and track statistics and key
performance indicators (KPIs). Dashboards should present this data in a quick and easy-to-
scan format with the most relevant information understandable at a glance.

A dashboard is a visual display of the most important information needed to achieve one or
more goals; consolidated and organized on a single screen so information can be monitored
at a glance

Dashboards play a crucial role in empowering MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium
Enterprises) by providing real-time insights into their operations, finances, and performance
metrics.

They offer a centralized platform for monitoring key indicators such as sales, expenses,
inventory levels, and customer trends, enabling MSME owners to make data-driven
decisions promptly. Dashboards help MSMEs identify areas of strength and opportunities for
improvement, facilitating strategic planning and goal setting.
With easy access to actionable insights, MSMEs can optimize resource allocation,
streamline processes, and enhance operational efficiency. Dashboards also aid in tracking
financial health, ensuring timely invoicing, monitoring cash flow, and managing expenses
effectively. By fostering transparency and accountability, dashboards enable MSMEs to
communicate performance metrics to stakeholders, including investors, lenders, and
employees, building trust and credibility.
Moreover, dashboards serve as a valuable tool for monitoring market trends, competitor
analysis, and identifying emerging opportunities, helping MSMEs stay competitive in
dynamic business environments. Embracing dashboard technology empowers MSMEs to
adapt quickly to changing market conditions, mitigate risks, and seize growth opportunities,
ultimately driving sustainable success and resilience.

Key Characteristics of the Great Dashboard

Effective dashboards show useful and actionable information at a glance. It simplifies the
visual representation of complex data and helps stakeholders understand, analyze and
present key insights.

A good dashboard is clear, intuitive and customizable.

• They convey information quickly.
• They display information clearly and efficiently.
• They show trends and changes in data over time.
• They are easy to customize. The most important widgets and data components are served effectively in a limited space.

Determining Dashboard Goals and Displaying Appropriate Data

Good design goals promote efficient and precise execution. Employing the S.M.A.R.T
framework for goal setting puts the focus on Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic,
and Time-based objectives.

A few key questions to ask when determining dashboard design goals:

• How many steps do users need to take to achieve a specific goal?
• Is the interface intuitive enough for the user to reach their goal on their own?
• What information does the user need to successfully achieve their goal?

The context in Dashboard Design

One of the biggest challenges of dashboard design is serving multiple personas. Once each
user role is defined, it becomes critical to understand where their needs overlap and where
they diverge.
Effective communication is the underlying principle of every successful dashboard design.
Foreseeing potential scenarios in which users may find themselves will contribute to a better
understanding of the user’s circumstances.
Always keep users’ context in mind when designing — identify their technical knowledge,
their familiarity with the system overall, their goals, and so on.

• Be sure to ask the following questions when trying to determine user behavior and context:
• Does the design consider the direction the visitor is used to reading in?
• Does interaction with the dashboard require technical knowledge?
• Will users manage to accomplish most of the actions in just a few clicks?
• Does the design align with user context by creating drill-down menus; does it use suggestive iconography and colour palettes?

Dashboard principles include:

1. Clarity: Dashboards should present information in a clear and understandable
   manner. Avoid clutter and unnecessary complexity that could confuse users.
2. Relevance: Display only the most relevant information on the dashboard. Users
   should be able to quickly identify what is important and actionable.
3. Consistency: Maintain consistency in design elements such as layout, colours,
   fonts, and terminology across the dashboard. Consistency enhances usability and
   reduces cognitive load for users.
4. Hierarchy: Organize information hierarchically, with the most important and high-
   level data displayed prominently. Use visual cues such as size, color, and
   placement to indicate hierarchy.
5. Interactivity: Provide interactive elements such as filters, drilldowns, and hover-over
   tooltips to enable users to explore data in more detail and derive insights.
6. Visualizations: Choose appropriate visualization types (e.g., charts, graphs, maps)
   based on the nature of the data and the insights users need to gain. Use
   visualizations effectively to convey information efficiently.
7. Whitespace: Use whitespace strategically to separate different elements on the
   dashboard and improve readability. Avoid overcrowding the dashboard with too much
   information.
8. Performance: Ensure that the dashboard loads quickly and responds promptly to
   user interactions. Optimize performance by minimizing data processing and loading
   times.
9. Accessibility: Design dashboards to be accessible to all users, including those with
   disabilities. Consider factors such as colour contrast, text size, and screen reader
   compatibility.
10. Feedback: Provide feedback to users to confirm their actions and communicate
    system status. For example, display loading indicators or success messages when
    data is being updated or actions are completed.
11. Customization: Allow users to customize the dashboard layout, content, and
    preferences to suit their individual needs and workflows.
12. Mobile responsiveness: Design dashboards to be responsive to different screen
    sizes and devices, ensuring a consistent user experience across desktops, tablets,
    and smartphones.

How to choose the right dashboard based on business reporting requirements

This chart will help you understand which type of dashboard is the best fit to meet your
business goals. The questions will help you to determine why you need a dashboard; the
design, features, and training required based on your audience; the metrics to use that will

help fill performance gaps; and the ultimate end goal that you’re working towards with your
dashboard

There are different types of dashboards tailored to serve specific purposes and meet the
needs of different stakeholders within an organization. Here’s a breakdown of the four main
types of dashboards:
Strategic: Strategic dashboards are designed to support high-level decision-making by
providing an overview of key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with organizational
objectives and long-term goals.

Analytical: Analytical dashboards are geared towards in-depth analysis and exploration of
data to uncover insights, trends, and patterns that drive informed decision-making.
Operational: Operational dashboards focus on monitoring real-time or near-real-time
operational metrics and performance indicators to support day-to-day business operations.
Tactical: Tactical dashboards bridge the gap between strategic planning and operational
execution by providing mid-level managers and department heads with actionable insights to
support tactical decision-making.

The number and types of dashboards required for an MSME can vary greatly depending on
factors such as the company’s size, industry focus, areas of operation, and specific needs.
However, here are some common types of dashboards that are often found in MSME
companies:

1. Project Management Dashboard
2. Resource Utilization Dashboard
3. Financial Dashboard
4. Quality Control Dashboard
5. Supply Chain Dashboard
6. Safety and Compliance Dashboard
7. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Dashboard
8. Workforce Performance Dashboard
9. Environmental Sustainability Dashboard

Below is a table categorizing major and minor dashboards for an MSME’s, along with
examples and areas of function they cover:

Choose the chart types that best represent your data and help convey your message clearly.
It’s also important to maintain consistency in chart styles and colours throughout your
dashboard for a cohesive and professional look. Type of charts and graphs:

Line Chart:

• Used to show trends over time, such as sales performance over different periods (days, weeks, months).
• Helpful for illustrating changes in sales figures, identifying patterns, and forecasting future trends.

Bar Chart:

• Suitable for comparing sales performance across different categories, regions, or products.
• Can be used to visualize metrics like total sales revenue, sales by product category, or sales by region.

Pie Chart:

• Useful for showing the composition of sales by product category, sales channels, or market share.
• Helps in highlighting the relative proportions of different elements within a dataset.

Area Chart:

• Similar to line charts but with the area below the line filled in, making it useful for displaying cumulative totals over time.
• Effective for illustrating cumulative sales or market share trends.

Stacked Bar Chart:

• Allows for comparison of sales performance while also showing the contribution of different categories to the total.
• Useful for visualizing sales by product category over time or comparing sales performance across different regions.

Heat Map:

• Ideal for visualizing sales performance across different regions or time periods using colour gradients.
• Enables quick identification of high-performing and low-performing areas or time periods.

Gauge Chart:

• Useful for displaying progress toward sales targets or quotas.
• Provides a visual representation of performance relative to a predefined goal.

Conclusion:

Dashboards are a powerful way to communicate data and other information, especially with a user-centred, goal-centric design that follows dashboard design best practices and proper data visualization. Although every dashboard is different and has its own goals, requirements, and limitations, following these fundamental principles will help in creating

outstanding designs regardless of the specifics:

• First and foremost, empathize with your user types and understand their goals.
• Convey a clear story to users by making use of suggestive visuals, labels,
• progressive disclosure techniques, and animation.
• Make complex things easy by applying user research techniques.
• Reveal data and information at the appropriate time, in a drill-down system.
• Use data visualization to express information in a meaningful way.