So, what’s the fix? One key solution lies in effective dashboards that can translate complex IT data into business-relevant insights. When done right, dashboards can serve as a powerful tool to bridge the communication gap.
How Dashboards Help
Bridging the Gap: Dashboards translate technical metrics into business insights. Instead of presenting a laundry list of technical KPIs, dashboards present data in a way that aligns with business goals—making it easier for business leaders to understand how IT performance affects them.
Key Features of an Effective Dashboard
Clarity and Simplicity: A dashboard should be clean and easy to understand. Focus on the most critical metrics and strip away unnecessary data clutter. Less is more when it comes to business-facing dashboards.
In my previous example with the 10-slide presentation, I asked the team a why choose our service straightforward question about the four strategic initiatives: are they on schedule or behind? The response was that three were on track, and one was delayed. However, I only found this out by asking directly—there was no clear indicator, like a simple green, amber, or red flag, to make this status immediately visible. This was the base-level information that the business wanted to know at a glance.
Contextual Information: Data is useful, but not sufficient. People need to understand why the data matters. How does what is being reported impact them?
Visual Appeal: “People eat with their eyes, not just their mouths,” means it’s got to look good too. Charts, graphs, and colors can make complex data easier. A well-designed dashboard helps non-technical users understand key information.
Know Your Audience: A dashboard should be tailored to the specific needs of its audience. Different stakeholders—executives, department heads, or IT managers—need differing levels of detail and focus. For example, a high-level executive might want a quick overview of strategic KPIs, while a department manager may need more granular data on operational performance. Understanding who will be using the dashboard helps ensure it presents the right information in the right format.
Often, I see IT departments presenting what THEY feel is important at the expense of what their audience actually cares about.