Dashboard Design Checklist

Use this checklist to review your dashboard design before sharing it with the client. Each section covers a different aspect of effective dashboard design.

1. Information Hierarchy

• What is the primary KPI? Is it the most prominent element on the dashboard?
• Can the stakeholder answer their most important question without scrolling?
• Are secondary metrics visually subordinate to the primary KPI (smaller size, lower position)?
• Does the layout guide the eye from most important to least important?

2. Chart Type Selection

• Does each chart type match the data it displays?
  • Time series data: line chart
  • Categorical comparisons: bar chart
  • Precise values: table
  • Part-to-whole relationships: stacked bar or percentage bar
• Are there any chart types that obscure the pattern rather than reveal it (3D charts, pie charts with many slices)?
• Would a different chart type make the insight clearer?

3. Accessibility

• Are all status indicators (up/down, good/bad, above/below target) distinguishable without colour?
• Do colour-coded elements have supplementary labels, icons, or patterns?
• Is the colour contrast between text and background sufficient for readability?
• Would someone with red-green colour blindness be able to read every element?

4. Durability

• What happens when a new category appears in the data (new location, new membership type)?
• Do filters handle new values automatically, or would they need manual updates?
• If a metric definition changes, how many panels would need updating?
• Does the dashboard layout handle longer category names or additional data points?

5. Readability

• Are axis labels at least 12pt and fully visible (not truncated)?
• Are legend entries complete and untruncated?
• Is there sufficient whitespace between panels to prevent visual clutter?
• Can all text be read at the dashboard's normal viewing distance (arm's length from a monitor)?
• Are number formats consistent (currency symbols, decimal places, thousands separators)?