Module 3/4 26 min
A dashboard people actually use
Step 1 / 4·One question, one chart
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Learning objectives — after this module you will:
- Design a dashboard on the one-question-one-chart principle
- Pick the right chart type for each kind of question
- Present numbers in a way that leads to a decision
Add to Blueprint ~8 min
One question, one chart
The most important design principle.
Bad dashboards try to cram everything onto one screen. Good ones start from a list of 5–8 questions the user genuinely has, with each question answered by exactly one visual.
Choose the chart type by the question
| Question | Chart type | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Trend over time? | Line chart | Don't use columns for 12 months — the eye can't read the trend |
| Comparing groups? | Horizontal bars sorted high to low | Don't leave them in alphabetical order if the point is comparison |
| What share does each part hold? | Stacked bar or a table with percentages | Limit pie charts to at most 4 slices — adjacent slices are hard to compare |
| One important number? | A large number tile with a comparison to the prior period | Don't build a chart for a single number |
A number without context is a useless number
'Attrition 12%' doesn't tell you whether to be pleased or worried. '12%, prior period 9%, target below 10%' is information. Every metric on a dashboard should carry at least one of three things: comparison to the prior period, to target, or to another group.
Key takeaway: Start from 5–8 real questions, one visual each, and give every number a comparison for context.