IMPACT

Design a project dashboard

Report results in a consistent and visual way to make it easy to share and discuss how you are doing.

Preview how this activity will happen in this two-minute video from the template. Turn on closed captioning to read instructions in your preferred language.

Once you’ve chosen a set of measurements to report against, you’ll need a format that allows you to easily track and communicate progress, so everyone can see the difference being made.

Why design a project dashboard?

Taking time to show progress against key measures will improve communication among team members and wider stakeholders. A visual report card or project dashboard is instantly understandable in ways that lengthy, text-based reports are not.

There are different ways to design a report card, you could

  • Create one from scratch yourself

  • Copy a layout used by others

  • Hire someone to create one for you

  • Use specialist dashboard software

A good approach produces a report card or dashboard that will:

  • Present all the key information clearly

  • Highlight what’s working well and what is not

  • Show trends as well as targets

  • Allow people to get more detailed information if they need it

  • Inspire regular use

We recommend you:

  • Make a number of images for each measurement in your set

  • Create a simple grid to limit your choices

  • Build your ideal dashboard 

  • Discuss your choices and tradeoffs

  • Decide on a final design 

What does designing a report look like?

Now you know the essentials, why not make a start on designing your project dashboard today?

 

HOW?

Get started

Our self-guided activities do all the work for you.

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Get personal help right away!

Sometimes you need to speak to an expert who can help you get a critical project over the line. We are here to help.


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