I have a Dashboard that doesn't work: 10 errors to solve

To have a effective dashboard is crucial for any company looking to take informed decisions. However, when a Dashboard It has errors or is not reliable, it can become a source of frustration and significant obstacles for the team. The lack of trust in data visualization not only does it slow down the decision-making process, but it can also lead to marketing strategies ill-founded that negatively affect business performance.

At Novicell, after years of experience working with various companies, we have identified the main challenges they face when managing dashboards ineffective. For this reason, we have compiled a decalogue of the 10 most common errors in the implementation of dashboards and the solutions needed to transform them into powerful tools and reliable.

Here are these errors and how to fix them to ensure that your Dashboard really drive the success of your business.

The Importance of a Well-Designed Dashboard

The main function of a Dashboard is the visual representation of data and results. Un well-designed dashboard becomes a key pillar for knowledge between a company's teams, facilitating data visualization And the making informed decisions. However, if a Dashboard does not work properly, the consequences can be serious, directly impacting the achievement of objectives. Decisions based on incorrect information can divert efforts to less priority areas or even harm the business.

10 errors and 10 Dashboards solutions

From our experience in multiple projects, we have identified the most common errors that can cause a Dashboard stop being useful.

Here are the 10 errors that we have analyzed the most in the creation and use of dashboards, together with their respective solutions to ensure that your tool is Effective and reliable.

1. Lack of Data Relevance

Problem: If the dashboards do not reflect the Key Indicators (KPIs) most important for strategic decisions of the business, interest and utility are lost. Irrelevant data or that don't align with the company's objectives can distract attention from what's really important.

Solution
To ensure that your dashboard is relevant and aligned with the company's objectives, it's essential to follow these steps:

• Needs Analysis
  Perform an in-depth analysis of the company's needs and objectives before designing the dashboard.
• Customizing KPIs
  It allows the team to customize the KPIs and metrics they want to see, ensuring that they are aligned with their strategic priorities.
• Periodic Review
  Periodically review the selected indicators to adjust them as the organization's goals evolve

2. Excessive complexity

Problem: Dashboards overloaded with too much information or poorly organized data can be overwhelming for users. La Excessive complexity makes it difficult to interpret key information quickly and effectively.

Solution

If you need to simplify and make your dashboard more accessible, consider the following actions:

• Minimalist Design
  Simplify dashboard design by applying UX/UI principles.
• Prioritize Metrics
  It shows only the most important metrics on the main screen and allows you to dive into additional details only when necessary.
• Using Clear Graphics
  Use clear and simple graphics that facilitate quick understanding of the data.

3. Outdated data

Problem: The business needs information in real time or as up-to-date as possible. If the dashboards They show data that are not up to date, they are no longer useful to take informed decisions and can lead to actions based on obsolete information.

Solution‍

To ensure that your data is always up to date, implement the following measures:

• Automatic Updates
  Implement automatic data updates in real time or as often as possible.
• Efficient Data Source Connection
  Make sure that data sources are well connected and that information loading processes are efficient.
• Update Indicator
  It reports on the last update of the data visibly on the dashboard.

4. Unintuitive interface

Problem: If the dashboard interface isn't friendly or requires too much effort to navigate and find key information, the team may become frustrated and stop using it.

Solution

Improve the usability of your dashboard by following these steps:

• Usability Tests
  Perform usability tests to identify and correct problems in the user experience (UX).
• Logical Structure
  It adopts a logical and simple structure for navigation.
• Custom Features
  It incorporates features such as customizing views and configuring automatic notifications for the most critical reports.

5. Lack of integration with other tools

Problem: The equipment usually uses a variety of tools and systems. If the dashboard isn't well integrated with your other data sources or work systems, it can become inefficient.

Solution

Make it easy to integrate your dashboard with other tools through the following actions:

• Full Integration
  It integrates the dashboard with all the tools that the team uses regularly (such as CRM, ERP, etc.).
• Exporting Data
  It makes it easy to export data to other formats or systems.
• Connectivity with APIs
  Enable connectivity with APIs so that information flows smoothly between platforms.

6. Low customization

Problem: The team needs to see information relevant to their specific area. Generic dashboards that are not adapted to individual needs can be ignored.

Solution

Increase the relevance of your dashboard by customizing it by following these steps:

• Customization Capability
  It provides the ability to customize dashboards according to the individual needs of each area of the business.
• Custom Views
  Implement personalized views so that each team can choose the most relevant metrics for their responsibility.
• Adaptability
  It ensures that the dashboard can easily adapt to the changing preferences and needs of users.

7. Loss of confidence in the accuracy of the data

Problem: If the team perceives that the data presented is not accurate or reliable, either due to errors or lack of verification, they will stop trusting the tool.

Solution

Restore trust in your dashboard by taking the following actions:

• Data Verification
  Establish clear processes for verifying and validating data before it is presented on the dashboard.
• Source Transparency
  It always shows data sources and highlights the traceability of information to build trust.
• Audit Options
  It offers the option of auditing the data to ensure its accuracy and reliability.

8. Lack of support or maintenance

Problem: If the dashboards don't receive updates or improvements based on feedback from the team, they will likely stop using them. Proactive support is key to maintaining long-term utility.

Solution

If you need to keep your dashboard updated and functional, we recommend the following strategies:

• Technical Support Team
  Implement a team or ongoing technical support plan that keeps the dashboard up to date.
• Regular Updates
  Make updates and improvements based on team feedback and company changes.
• Periodic Reviews
  Perform regular reviews to ensure that the dashboard continues to meet business needs and adapts as needed.

9. Change in strategic priorities

Problem: If abusiness or company priorities change and the dashboards don't fit those new objectives, the team may stop using them.

Solution

Ensure that your dashboard remains aligned with strategic priorities through the following actions:

• Constant Communication
  Keep in constant communication with the team to understand any new priorities that may arise.
• Dashboard flexibility
  It offers flexibility in dashboards to adapt them quickly to any change in the organization's strategic objectives.
• Objectives Update
  Regularly update the objectives and metrics on the dashboard to reflect current business goals.

10. Use of new technologies or methodologies

Problem: As companies adopt new technologies or methodologies of data analysis, the dashboards old ones may become obsolete and be replaced by more modern or flexible tools, affecting efficiency and competitiveness.

Solution

Keep your dashboard updated with the latest technologies by following these steps:

• Technology Update
  Keep up to date with the latest technologies and trends in data analysis and visualization tools.
• Implementing New Features
  It offers regular platform updates or more modern solutions that are better adapted to new needs, such as interactive dashboards or dashboards integrated with artificial intelligence.
• Ongoing Training
  It provides ongoing training to the team to ensure that they can take full advantage of the new functionalities and technologies implemented.

Dashboards should be useful

It is crucial that the dashboards are useful and effective tools for the business. Un well-designed dashboard has a positive impact on the decision making, improves the communication between teams and optimizes the overall performance of the company. To achieve this, it's important to avoid common mistakes such as:

• Lack of clarity in objectives.
• Absence of a Buyer Persona clearly defined.
• Inadequate selection of performance indicators.
• Visual hierarchy inconsistent.
• Graphical representations irrelevant.
• Lack of analysis of effective results.
• Information overload on the interface.
• Neglect in the strategic planning.
• Ignore the need for user feedback.

In short, in order for a Dashboard To fulfill its purpose of being a valuable tool for the business, it is essential to pay attention to each of these aspects. Un effective dashboard Not only does it present data, but rather contextualizes them in a way that facilitates understanding and making informed decisions.

By avoiding the above-mentioned errors, companies can ensure that their dashboards Sean intuitive, relevant and aligned with their strategic objectives.

In addition, the implementation of good practices in the design and maintenance of dashboards promotes a culture of transparency and collaboration within the organization. Teams will be able to access the information they really need, in the right format and at the right time, which translates into greater operational efficiency And in a better overall performance.

We're here to help

In Novicell, we understand the importance of having well-designed and customized dashboards that respond to the specific needs of each business. Our team of experts is ready to help you identify and fix these errors, ensuring that your dashboard not only works properly, but also boosts the growth and success of your company.

If you are interested in implementing a dashboard for your business or want to solve the challenges of your current dashboards, write to us and we will be happy to help.