A feature that is used to describe a big picture of something can be called a dashboard. What’s in a dashboard? It depends on users’ need. For example, sales dashboard that is used by management contains summarized information of revenue and target comparison of one fiscal year, sales per region, cost, etc. Most dashboards will use graphs, charts, indicator, or other visualization tools that is eye-catching and easy to see. Some allows drill down, and some only show note or description of graphs or charts. It’s a mixture between data, visualization, and summarization. The important factors are need to be defined to be shown in a dashboard. Usually, KPI or Key Performance Indicator will be included in it. Summarized target and actual comparisons are included also. I think dashboard is quite a personalized tool in an application. Maybe we will never see the same data or dashboard from one application to another. That’s good, because each application or users might need different thing.
Dashboard design is challenging. First, know your users. Second, analyze the summarized important information needed. Third, create good information visualization. Give necessary details if needed. Good infovis here means simple and easy to see at a glance. I read this site about infovis which is quite interesting http://www.perceptualedge.com/. Four, evaluation. It is necessary to ask users about the implemented dashboard, from the data and design point of views.
