For this week’s discussion, you will discuss the following:
- What are the four questions that you need to ask before designing a dashboard.
- Why is it important to ask these questions?
- What would happen if you did not ask these questions?
EXAMPLE POST:
As an Architect with more than 14 years of experience in project management in the construction business, I have learned that a dashboard is only as effective as the questions asked before it is designed. Based on this weeks learning, there are four key questions that should always be addressed prior to building a dashboard.
The first question is: Who is the audience?
Understanding whether the dashboard is intended for executives, project managers, or operational teams is critical. Each group requires a different level of detail, frequency, and type of insight. For example, executives typically focus on KPIs and trends, while project managers need operational and task-level metrics.
The second question is: What decisions will be made using this dashboard?
Dashboards should be decision-driven, not data-driven. Clarifying the decisions ensures that the dashboard provides actionable insights rather than overwhelming users with unnecessary data.
The third question is: What metrics and data sources are required?
Identifying the right KPIs and ensuring data accuracy, relevance, and reliability is essential. In construction, using incorrect or inconsistent data can lead to flawed cost forecasts, scheduling errors, or resource misallocation.
The fourth question is: How often will the dashboard be used and updated?
The update frequency must align with the business process. Real-time dashboards may be necessary for operations, while weekly or monthly updates may be sufficient for strategic reviews.
It is important to ask these questions because they ensure alignment between business objectives, users needs, and data integrity. A well-designed dashboard supports clarity, efficiency, and confident decision-making.
If these questions are not asked, dashboards often become cluttered, confusing, and underutilized. They may present irrelevant metrics, mislead decision-makers, or fail to support timely actionsultimately reducing trust in data and analytics.
In summary, asking these four questions upfront transforms dashboards from simple visual reports into powerful decision-support tools that add real value to the organization.
Requirements: 200 words
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