Long gone are the days when a couple of spreadsheets and simple charts were enough to analyze data and make discoveries. With a tidal wave of information coming from data warehouses, transactional databases, application logs, mobile devices, and social networks, companies urgently need better ways to process, organize, and consume the data in order to create tangible value.

However, how do you build dashboards that are not only robust but also engaging and easy to use? Chances are that you have already acquired an analytical tool to do so, and since you are reading this book, you have made a wise choice in selecting QlikView. However, a great tool does not guarantee your success in this endeavor.

Before we dive in and start creating bar charts and scatter plots, it is vital to understand the context around our applications. The true objective of a dashboard is to tell a story, to let the user explore the data, and ultimately to provide insights that lead to good business decisions.

Throughout this book, we are going to share some best practices, tips and tricks that will help you build outstanding dashboards that truly respond to your company's information needs. In this introductory chapter, we will discuss the following topics: