Mastering the art of dashboard design

My design process

1. Start with the real business question

I don’t open Power BI until I know exactly what decision this dashboard is supposed to support. Who’s using it, what they care about, and what “good” looks like. If that’s unclear, the dashboard will be unclear.

2. Lock in the definitions before building anything

Metrics, formulas, grain, logic — all of it. If the numbers don’t match what the business expects, the dashboard loses credibility before it even launches.

3. Fix the data before you visualize it

I audit the data for gaps, inconsistencies, and structural issues. Data integrity is the foundation; everything else is decoration.

4. Sketch the story first

I wireframe the layout so the narrative is intentional: headline at the top, supporting visuals in the middle, detail at the bottom, filters tucked away. The design follows the story, not the other way around.

5. Build a clean, scalable data model

Relationships, reusable measures, and performance matter. Most dashboard problems are really modeling problems, so I solve them upfront.

6. Create visuals with purpose

Every visual earns its place. If it doesn’t answer a question, it doesn’t belong. Clarity beats complexity every time.

7. Add interactivity that enhances, not distracts

Pop‑out filters, drill‑throughs, tooltips — only the features that make the dashboard easier to use. No gimmicks.

8. Validate the numbers with the people who own them

I walk stakeholders through the logic, compare against known reports, and resolve discrepancies early. Trust is built here.

9. Polish the design

Consistent spacing, clean labels, aligned visuals, minimal color. Good design is invisible — it just feels right.

10. Document and hand off like a product

Definitions, data sources, refresh cadence, limitations. A dashboard isn’t a one‑off deliverable; it’s a system someone else has to live with.