A data dashboard is an interactive tool that visualizes, consolidates, and displays a set of data. It displays key metrics, data points, and performance indicators in a format that is easy to understand. Data dashboards are designed to allow anybody viewing the dashboard to quickly review, analyze, and make quick decisions based on the data available to them.
Data dashboards contain many features that allow quick and complete understanding of that data being presented. These include:
- Interactive Visualizations: common visual elements on a data dashboard include pie charts, bar graphs, heat maps, and line graphs. These are often interactive, meaning that someone viewing the data can filter and focus the data on one specific area if they wish.
- Real-Time Data: Most data dashboards are connected to live data sources, meaning a viewer can have their finger on the pulse of what is happening within their business or organization right now.
- Customizability: Dashboards can often be customized to show the most relevant data for a specific user. This can include focusing on certain areas of the business or certain metrics.