Why successful dashboards improve business processes

Professional dashboards make complex information tangible and understandable. They help to build bridges between specialist departments and technology experts by combining business knowledge and data-driven analysis. A well-structured reporting interface ensures that relevant information is clearly presented and can be used efficiently.

Modern visualisation approaches go beyond the control of existing processes – they promote innovation, help to identify trends at an early stage and exploit strategic opportunities. But what is important here? We show why it is worth investing in high-quality reporting solutions.

Errors in spreadsheets – an underestimated risk

According to ‘Spreadsheet quality assurance’, up to 94 per cent of all spreadsheets created by employees contain errors. This figure shows how risky it is to rely on manual data processing. A wrong formula or an incomplete entry can have far-reaching consequences and lead to wrong decisions. This is where we come in: with our customised dashboards, we offer solutions that minimise data errors and optimise decision-making processes.

How well-prepared dashboards avoid errors

The greatest risk lies in manual data evaluation: incorrect entries, incomplete data and complex calculations can quickly lead to wrong decisions. A business intelligence solution offers decisive advantages here – users can concentrate on analysing and interpreting the data instead of spending time creating and cleaning the data basis.

But not every dashboard is automatically helpful. It is crucial that the interfaces provide exactly the relevant data that users need. After all, data alone is not enough – it is only through the right interpretation and classification that it acquires meaning and becomes valuable information. A well-designed reporting interface supports this process by clearly structuring content and presenting it in an understandable way so that informed decisions can be made.

Data must be prepared for the right target group

Not every user group needs the same information – the operational area requires detailed analyses, while management needs to be able to quickly identify areas where action is required. Management, in turn, needs a strategic overview. A well-designed dashboard takes these differences into account and ensures that each level receives exactly the data it needs to make informed decisions.

A good example is the hotel search on Google Maps: the most important data is displayed directly next to the hotel name. Whether the hotel is too expensive or the location too remote is something that travellers decide on an individual basis – price and ratings are the main deciding factors. Similarly, dashboards should clearly structure relevant key figures to enable well-informed decisions.

User-centred design is the key to intuitive operation

Regularly used dashboards should be intuitive to use in order to enable efficient and error-free operation. A good example of user-centred design is the IKEA user manual: it is designed to be understandable worldwide without text. Clear images and logical step-by-step instructions ensure that furniture can be easily assembled without prior knowledge. A dashboard should be designed in the same way – it should make the user's work easier, rather than slowing them down with an unclear structure or complicated operation.

To ensure that a dashboard meets these requirements, it is essential to have a precise understanding of the processes and needs of the users as early as the development phase. Direct communication with the specialist departments and targeted user interviews provide valuable insights for optimally adapting the interface to the actual requirements.

In addition, visual aspects play a crucial role. Choosing the right colours, font sizes and contrasts must not only meet aesthetic requirements, but also enable barrier-free use. At the same time, a consistent corporate design fosters trust and a visually coherent user experience.

Why consistency and scalability are crucial

Another essential criterion for successful dashboards is consistency. Uniform designs and recurring modules help users to find their way around more quickly and use the reports efficiently. At the same time, dashboards must be scalable: when business requirements change or new reporting pages are added, dashboards should be flexibly expandable without sacrificing usability.

A good example is the structure of a supermarket: while the products on sale may change, the basic layout remains the same. Customers know exactly where to find certain items, making shopping more efficient. It should be the same with reporting tools: a consistent structure helps users to quickly find their way around and use reports effectively.

DaVinci@adesso: where design meets data literacy

With our DaVinci@adesso Community, we are going one step further. We combine the creativity and user-centricity of the Digital Experience (DX) business line with the analytical know-how of the Data & Analytics (DNA) business line, which uses its expertise in data transformation to create a solid basis for powerful dashboards. The result: dashboards that not only look good but are also intuitive to use and offer real added value.

Our interdisciplinary collaboration ensures that reports are not only visually appealing, but also functional and efficient. We think of reporting solutions not only from the point of view of the data, but also from the point of view of the people who work with it. That is our one-adesso approach: combining technology and design at the highest level.

Conclusion: Why it pays to invest in professional dashboards

Professional dashboards are essential for data-driven companies. They reduce errors, increase efficiency and enable well-informed decisions. Our work in the DaVinci@adesso community shows that combining data expertise and UX design results in solutions that are not only technically strong but also intuitively accessible.