Dashboard
A visual display consolidating key metrics and information for monitoring status at a glance.
Also known as: Control Panel, Status Board, Overview Panel
Category: Tools
Tags: visualization, productivity, tools, metrics, monitoring
Explanation
A Dashboard is a visual interface that consolidates and displays key information, metrics, and status indicators in a single view. Like a car dashboard shows speed, fuel, and engine status simultaneously, information dashboards provide an at-a-glance overview of what matters most.
**Characteristics of Effective Dashboards**:
- **Focused**: Shows only what's essential, avoiding information overload
- **Visual**: Uses charts, graphs, and indicators rather than raw data
- **Current**: Reflects real-time or near-real-time information
- **Actionable**: Highlights items requiring attention or decision
- **Contextual**: Provides comparison points (targets, trends, benchmarks)
**Types of Dashboards**:
- **Strategic**: High-level KPIs for executives
- **Operational**: Day-to-day metrics for teams
- **Analytical**: Data exploration and trend analysis
- **Personal**: Individual productivity and progress tracking
**Dashboard Design Principles**:
- Place most important information at top-left
- Use color consistently (red for problems, green for good)
- Minimize cognitive load with clear hierarchy
- Enable drill-down for details when needed
- Update automatically to stay relevant
**In PKM Context**:
Personal dashboards help track:
- Daily/weekly task completion
- Habit streaks and goal progress
- Note-taking activity and growth
- Reading and learning progress
- Project status across areas
Tools like Obsidian, Notion, and dedicated apps allow creating personal dashboards that surface what matters for your life and work.
Related Concepts
← Back to all concepts