Data Science · Intermediate level

Intermediate level · Module 5: Reporting and Dashboards · Lesson 3 of 3

Designing Dashboards

Design dashboards that answer specific users' questions at a glance, and prototype them with suitable tools.

In this lesson you will

  • Design a dashboard around user questions
  • Build a prototype with a BI tool or Python

Key concepts

user questionslayout and hierarchyfiltersdata freshness

The lesson

A dashboard is for a specific audience and decision. Ask users which three or four questions they check regularly and design for those, with the most important number at the top left.

Keep it simple: a few clear charts, consistent colours, filters for district or period, and a note saying when data was last updated and where definitions live.

Tools range from BI platforms such as Power BI or Looker Studio to Python apps such as Streamlit. Choose based on users' access, licences and internet connectivity.

Step by step

  1. Interview a 'programme manager' for their questions.
  2. Sketch the dashboard layout.
  3. Build a prototype with one tool.
  4. Test it with the user and revise.

Practice activity

Prototype the programme monitoring dashboard and record user feedback.

Expected result: A prototype that answers the manager's questions, revised after feedback.

Check your understanding

  1. Where should dashboard design start?

    Show answer

    With the users' key questions and decisions.

  2. Why show when data was last updated?

    Show answer

    Users need to know how current the information is.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.