Avoiding common pitfalls

In this final section of the chapter, we will go through some of the common pitfalls and gotchas to watch out for while designing dashboards and visuals. You will see that these usually involve either inadequate application of the design principles we have discussed in this chapter or a complete lack of adherence to them.

Overloading a dashboard

A dashboard that tries to convey too much is an overloaded dashboard. It is tempting for dashboard developers to respond to users’ relentless demands for additional information by adding more and more visuals and information to an existing dashboard. This tendency will only result in a cluttered dashboard that will be cumbersome to use and understand.

Also, trying to address the needs of different groups of users with the same dashboard is a bad idea. Limit the scope of the dashboard and align it with a single major objective and persona. Provide additional details to the users through separate dashboards...