Are you asking the right questions?

I'd like to jump into the Design Process concept for Data Visualization that I've been working on for several years. Many times, we strive to develop the most suitable, relevant, and effective dashboard for the business. But between what users envision and what is actually achievable, there's a considerable gap.

One of the problem here is the lack of method and guideline. I encounter many data professionals who tell me: "I'd like to do it, but I don't know how to approach it..."

These people are doing the best they can, but they are already juggling 2, 3, or 4 roles. They have a primary role, but mostly they take on the roles of Product Manager, Designer, Data Engineer... So, one of them need to be sacrificed.

Often the one that is the most misunderstood and seen as a cost, which is the role of the Designer.

A few weeks later, the new dashboard is rolled out in production. It looks exactly like the previous dashboard, with the same metrics, tables, and a redesign already planned to fully leverage the benefits of this new BI platform in a few weeks.

What was missing?

One-for-one migrations aren't necessarily bad. But too often, they are wrongly chosen due to cost or time constraints.

On the other hand, the person receiving the requirement doesn't feel adequately equipped, typically lacking arguments to explain, acculturate, and sometimes persuade end-users and stakeholders towards an organized approach which led to have concrete interviews with key questions to ask. 

These questions could be asked to stakeholders to gather enough insight, avoiding pitfalls and complications.

That's why I create a Design Process dedicated to Data Visualization for each company I work for.

A Design Process is a methodology that helps you through the journey of the Design of your dashboard.

It helps you : 

• Be more confident as a Dashboard Developer or Product Manager
• Stop thinking about which process, which tool, which workshop
• Create truly useful dashboards that users like to use
• Ask the right questions at the right moment
• Gather the right people around the table
• Assess and validate the need...

If you want to start creating great dashboards. 

Focus on the "why" not the "how".

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If you want to learn how to apply design and cognitive principles to your dashboards and reports, join my new training "Learn Design Driven Data Visualization".