Design Dashboards Around Decisions
Data & Dashboards · dashboards
Updated 2026-07-28
- Start with the user's goal, not the available data.
- Ask:
- What decision does this screen support?
- What action should happen after viewing it?
- Organize information by priority:
- Overview first.
- Details second.
- Advanced controls last.
- Avoid forcing users to interpret raw data:
- Highlight changes.
- Explain unusual activity.
- Surface important events.
- Use progressive detail:
- Summary for quick scanning.
- Drill-down for investigation.
- The best dashboards reduce thinking time between seeing information and taking action.
Related guides
UX Handbook