Data Preparation and Cleaning

Data preprocessing techniques to clean and transform raw data into a format suitable for visualization.
Dealing with missing values, outliers, and inconsistencies in data.
Ensure that the visuals and data in your dashboard accurately reflect the source systems. It's often beneficial to fix data discrepancies as close to the original data source as possible, rather than addressing them solely at the dashboard level. This approach helps minimize maintenance efforts and reduces labor-intensive tasks.

Dashboard Components

Filters: Interactive controls (e.g., dropdown menus, sliders, date pickers) that allow users to dynamically adjust the data displayed on the dashboard based on their preferences or criteria.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Highlighted metrics or indicators that provide at-a-glance insights into the performance of a business, process, or system.
Data Tables: Tabular representations of data that allow users to view detailed information, perform sorting, filtering, and drilling down into specific data points.
Annotations: Text labels, shapes, or markers added to the dashboard to provide additional context or explanations for data points or trends.
Alerts and Notifications: Automated alerts or notifications triggered based on predefined thresholds or conditions to notify users of significant events, anomalies, or trends.

Utilizing the latest tools and technology to enhance productivity and gain deeper insights is crucial. However, adhering to the best practice of leveraging what you already possess remains paramount.
There are many tools out there but focus on the ones that provide all the following:
- Data Integration: Connect to various data sources to import and combine data for analysis.
- Visualization Creation: Design visualizations like charts, graphs, and tables to represent data interactively.
- Dashboard Design: Arrange visualizations, apply interactivity, and incorporate branding for a cohesive user interface.
- Sharing and Collaboration: Share dashboards online, embed them in web pages, or export them for collaborative analysis.

Understanding principles of effective data visualization such as clarity, simplicity, consistency, and relevance.

Choosing appropriate chart types (e.g., bar charts, line charts, pie charts, scatter plots) based on the nature of the data and the insights you want to convey.

Ensure your dashboard addresses key business questions to maintain strategic alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
Equip stakeholders with the insights they need by focusing on answering pertinent business questions, enabling informed decision-making at all levels of the organization.