Visual Analytics for Dashboards: A Step-by-Step Guide to Principles and Practical Techniques

Table of Contents
About the Author
About the Technical Reviewer
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Dashboards
	Business Intelligence
		Objective and Technologies
		Defining Business Intelligence
		Business Intelligence Tools
		Convergence of Disciplines
	Background
		Business Dashboard Predecessor
		Change in User Needs
		Major Changes Since the 1990s
	Dashboards
		Car Dashboard
		Business Dashboard
		Definition
		Objective
		Key Features
		Process Supported
	Dashboard Types
		Dashboard Classifications
		Strategic Dashboard
		Analytical Dashboard
		Operational Dashboard
	Dashboard Characteristics
		Unique Design
		Common Elements
		Desired Dashboard Characteristics
		High-Level Dashboard Product Features
		Common Dashboard Software Tool Features
			Drilling
			Filtering
			Sorting
			Pivoting
			Calculating
			Charting
	Dashboard Benefits, Shortcomings, and Challenges
		Benefits
		Shortcomings
		Challenges
	Obtaining Value from Dashboards
		Determine the Objective
		Determine the Expected Value
		Identify Users
		Leverage Data Visualization
		Leverage Advantage over Conventional Reporting
		Balance Conflicting Display Requirements
	Selection and Implementation
		Cost Components
		Selecting the Dashboard Type
			What Is the Objective?
			Which Business Problem Needs to Be Solved?
			Who Will Use the Dashboard?
			What Are the Existing Performance Gaps?
		Identifying the Technical Requirements
		Implementation
	Summary
Chapter 2: Scorecards
	Understanding Scorecards
		What Is a Scorecard
		Comparing Dashboards and Scorecards
	Implementing and Using a Scorecard
		Implementation Issues
			Metrics Issue
			Format Issue
			Standards Issue
			Collection Issue
			Use Issue
		Making an Effective Scorecard
	Balanced Scorecard
		Background
		Objective
		What a Balanced Scorecard Does
	Four Balanced Scorecard Perspectives
		Strategic Areas
		Financial Perspective
		Customer Perspective
		Internal Processes Perspective
		Learning and Growth Perspective
		Connection Between Perspectives
	Comparing Scorecards and Dashboards
		Three Common Characteristics
			Applications
			Layers
			Types
		Differences
		Ensuring Effectiveness
	Summary
Chapter 3: Key Performance Indicators
	Measuring Performance
		Why Performance Is Measured
		Measurement Requirements
		Linking Measures
	Metrics
		Measures and Metrics
		Difference in Objectives
		Balancing Metrics
		How to Obtain the Best Results
	Key Performance Indicators
		What Is a Key Performance Indicator?
		KPI Characteristics
		KPIs Variety
		KPIs to Use
		Benefits and Issues
		Using and Managing KPIs
			KPI Management
			Metrics As Predictors of Success
			Dashboard KPI
			Number of Metrics to Include
			Ownership
			Metrics Review
			Data Quality Review
	Developing KPIs
		Identifying New KPIs
		Creating New KPIs
		Participants in KPI Design and Development
	Data Requirements
		Data Collection Methods
		Identifying the Data Source
		Data Collection Responsibility
		Data Collection Frequency
		Cost Components
		Temporary Indicators
	Summary
Chapter 4: Dashboard Requirements
	Objective and Users
		Objective
		Users
	Functional Requirements
		High-Level User Requirements
		Basic Requirements
		Presentation and Display Requirements
		Output and Distribution Requirements
	Determining Requirements
		Objective Questions
		Metrics Questions
		Responsibilities and User Action Questions
		Views/Reports Questions
		Monitoring Frequency Questions
		Security Questions
	Design Questions for User Input
		User Needs
		Dashboard Design
		Placing Data
		Types of Interactions
	Summary
Chapter 5: Dashboard Design
	Design Principles
		Need for Effective Design
		Features Affecting Dashboard Design
		Key Design Principles
		Checklist for Designing Dashboards
		Impact of Poor Design
		What Designers Need to Understand
		Sketches, Mockups, and Prototypes
		Design for Uniqueness
		Leveraging External Expertise
	Architecture
		How to Architect Dashboards
		Business and Technical Architecture
	Effective Principles of Dashboard Design
		Avoid Information Overload
		Design for Rapid Monitoring
		Implement Responsive Design
		Provide Insight, Not Reports
		Utilize Valuable Real Estate
		Avoid Scrolling
		Use an Iterative Design Process
		Implement Best Practices and Standards
	Layout, Colors, and Fonts
		Layout
		Chart Elements
		Colors
		Visualization Backgrounds
		Fonts
	UI Design Principles
		Importance of UI Design
		User/UI Interaction
		Principles of UI Design
		Structure Principle
		Simplicity Principle
		Visibility Principle
		Feedback Principle
		Reuse Principle
		Tolerance Principle
	Summary
Chapter 6: Data Visualization
	Memory and Cognitive Load
		Memory Types
		Iconic Memory
		Short-Term Memory
		Long-Term Memory
		Cognitive Load
	Need to Visualize Data
		Memory Limitations
		Key Characteristics of Good Visualizations
	Data Visualization in Business
		Effectiveness of Visuals
		Comparing Charts with Tables
			Why Charts Are More Powerful Than Tables
		Data Visualization for Business
			Benefits
			Role in Business Analysis
			Key to Successful Data Visualization Usage
		Presentation Media
			Presentation Media Types
			Visual Display Elements Used by Dashboards
	Summary
Chapter 7: Visualization Principles
	Attributes of Visual Perception
		Pre-attentive Visual Attributes
		Leveraging Pre-attentive Visual Attributes
	Four Categories of Pre-attentive Attributes
		Color Attribute
		Form Attribute
		Position Attribute
		Motion Attribute
	Gestalt Principles of Visual Perception
		Gestalt Principles
		Proximity Principle
		Similarity Principle
		Enclosure Principle
		Closure Principle
		Continuity Principle
		Connection Principle
	Visual Design Considerations
		Size
		Color
		Fonts
		Chart Scale and Size
			Chart Scale
			Chart Size
	Summary
Chapter 8: Visual Communication
	Visual Cues
		Placement
			Position
			Proximity
		Lines
		Shapes
			Area
			3D Shapes and Volume
			Problem with Circles
			Impact of Shapes
		Color
	Coordinate Systems
		Cartesian Coordinates
		Polar Coordinates
		Geographic Coordinates
	Measurement Scales
		Linear and Logarithmic Scales
		Ratio and Interval Scales
		Ordinal Scales
		Nominal Scales
		Percent Scales
		Time Scales
	Visual Context
		Explicit and Implicit Context
	Visual Hierarchy
		Visual Hierarchy Principle
		Characteristics of Contrast Areas
	Summary
Chapter 9: Understanding and Using Charts
	Visualizations for Dashboards
		Variety of Visualizations
		Plots and Maps
		Using Charts
		Tables
	Chart Types
		Column Chart
		Stacked Column Chart
		Bar Chart
		Stacked Horizontal Bar Chart
		Pie Chart
		Donut Chart
		Line Chart
		Bullet Chart
		Sparkline Chart
		Treemap
		Scatterplot
		Heat Map
		Funnel Chart
		Small Multiples
		Area Chart
		Bubble Chart
		Gauges
	Summary
Chapter 10: Selecting Charts
	Visualization Requirements
		Purpose
		What Needs to Be Visualized
	What Drives the Selection
		Selecting the Type of Chart to Use
		Best Fit
	Finding the Appropriate Chart
		Mapping Categories
		Comparisons
		Proportions
		Relationships
		Patterns
	Summary
Chapter 11: Best Practices and Tips
	Design
		Provide an Effective Dashboard
		Design a Single-Screen Dashboard
		Design the Layout Carefully
		Position Important Items Strategically
		Limit Display to What Is Essential
		Start Design at the High Level
		Make the Dashboard Communicate Quickly
		Pick Critical Metrics
		Enable Interactivity
		Provide Intuitive Navigation
		Make It Simple to Access and Use
		Keep It Current
		Develop on a Single Platform
	Information and Its Visual Representation
		Avoid Mismatch
		Display Context for the Data
		Limit Text or Content to Be Displayed
		Provide Qualitative Data
		Express Measures Effectively
		Do Not Make Everything Prominent
	Presentation Media and Variety
		Unappealing Visual Display
		Using an Inappropriate Visual
		Unnecessary Display Variety
		Distractions That Hinder Communication
	Data Issues
		Excessive Detail or Precision
		Improper Encoding of Visual Objects
	Visualization Tips
		Keep It Visual
		Leverage Visual Perception
		Avoid Distracting Visuals
		Avoid Inappropriate Visual Salience
		Mute Axis Lines, Borders, and Lines
		Avoid Grid Lines
		Use Fill Colors to Delineate
		Charts
		Gauges
	Clutter and Color Mistakes
		Avoid Screen Clutter
		Avoid Misusing or Overusing Color
		Avoid Unnecessary Color Variation
		Select Colors Carefully
		Maintain Color Consistency
	Visuals to Avoid
		Pie Charts
		Donut Charts
		3D Charts
		Charts with Secondary Y-Axis
	Challenges
		Unique Business Operations
		Organizational Challenges
		User Acceptance
		Data Quality
		Speedy Implementations
	Summary
Appendix
	Dissecting the Dashboard
Index