In many organizations, building dashboards has become a goal in itself. The thinking goes: “If we can measure it, we can manage it.” But a dashboard without direction is like a map without a destination.
Before you dive into data visualization, ask yourself: what do you really want to know – and why?
Dashboards are not a strategy
A dashboard is a tool, not an end goal. Yet I often see organizations jumping into dashboarding without first asking the right foundational questions. The result?
- Beautiful graphs no one understands
- KPIs that say nothing about what truly matters
- Time wasted instead of value created
A dashboard without a clear question is like a thermometer in a room where you have no intention of adjusting the temperature.
The questions you must ask first
Before working with data and dashboards, ask yourself (and your team) these critical questions:
- What are we really trying to achieve as an organization?
Think strategic goals – not just operational metrics. - What decisions do we want to support more effectively?
A dashboard should help you choose faster, smarter, and better. - Who is the end user – and what do they actually need?
What leadership needs is very different from what a team lead needs. - What information are we currently missing?
And: is that information even available?
Why the right question is half the work
Taking time to answer these questions helps you avoid:
- Aimless data collection
- KPI overload (measuring everything = measuring nothing)
- Frustration over “useless dashboards”
You create focus. And that is the foundation for meaningful insights.
How I can help
In my workshop ‘Formulating the Right Question’, I help teams and management clarify their information needs.
We structure your challenges in a way that ensures the dashboard you eventually build will have real impact.
In conclusion: think first, then visualize
A great dashboard doesn’t start with data – it starts with the right question. Want to be sure your data efforts lead to real insight and action?
Schedule an introductory meeting – I’d be happy to help you think it through.
Alice van den Boogaard – Value X
Value X – From data to insight, from insight to impact