here's an article i have written for linkedin. could you help me write a short intro that will get people to read the whole article? use british spellings. Recently, I was on a short drive when something unexpected happened. About three minutes into the trip, my car’s dashboard went completely dark. No warnings, no messages—just a blank screen. In that moment, I realised just how critical a dashboard is. I started asking myself questions: What if something’s seriously wrong with the car? How would I even know?

For those who don’t drive, a dashboard might seem unimportant. But for the rest of us, it’s essential. It tells you how much fuel is left, how fast you’re going, the tire pressure, and other critical indicators—especially when something’s wrong. Sure, you could drive with a blank dashboard (like I did), but unless you’re feeling particularly reckless, it’s not a good idea.

So, what does this have to do with data analytics? A lot, actually.

When you design a dashboard, especially one that will land in front of stakeholders, you need to think carefully about what to include. It's not the place to show off every fancy graph or number you’ve crunched during your analysis. You might be tempted to, but do everything you can to resist the urge! Instead, your dashboard should focus on the essentials: the key metrics and insights that truly matter to the business.

What Belongs on Your Dashboard?
Whilst there is no magic formula, your dashboard should answer the most critical questions your stakeholders have. Think of it like a car dashboard: it should only display what’s necessary to keep things running smoothly. Here’s how to decide what makes the cut:

Focus on Actionable Insights: Every piece of data on your dashboard should serve a purpose. If it doesn’t prompt action or inform a decision, leave it out. For example, if subscription levels have remained consistent over the analysis period, does your stakeholder really need to see that? Probably not. It’s like checking your fuel gauge right after filling up; it’s not useful information at that moment.

Highlight What’s Critical: Your dashboard should surface the things stakeholders can’t guess or easily see. These are the metrics that could indicate potential problems or opportunities lurking beneath the surface. For instance, if customer churn is rising or sales are dipping in a key region, that’s something your stakeholders need to know, and act on immediately.

Keep It Simple and Clear: Avoid clutter. A dashboard crammed with too much information is overwhelming and defeats its purpose. Stick to the most important metrics and present them in a way that’s easy to understand at a glance. Use clear visuals, concise labels, and intuitive design.

Tailor It to Your Audience: Different stakeholders care about different things. A CEO might want a high-level overview of performance, while a marketing manager might need detailed campaign metrics. Design your dashboard with your audience in mind, ensuring it answers their specific questions.

What Doesn’t Belong on Your Dashboard?
Just as important as knowing what to include is knowing what to leave out. Here are a few things that don’t belong on your dashboard:

Redundant Data: If a metric doesn’t add new information or insight, it’s just taking up space.

Non-Actionable Metrics: Avoid including data that won’t lead to a decision or action.

Overly Complex Visuals: Fancy charts might look impressive, but if they’re hard to interpret, they’re not helpful.

Final Thoughts
A well-designed dashboard is like a car’s dashboard: it should only display what’s essential to keep things running smoothly. Focus on actionable insights, highlight critical metrics, and keep it simple and clear. Remember, your dashboard isn’t a showcase for every analysis you’ve done—it’s a tool to drive decisions and actions.

So, the next time you’re designing a dashboard, ask yourself: What would my stakeholders need to know if everything else went dark? That’s what belongs on your dashboard.

What’s your approach to designing dashboards? 

Share your thoughts. I’d love to hear what works for you!