Now that we have completed our discussion of visualization theory, let's turn our attention to dashboard design. We'll begin by asking the question: What is a dashboard? The question is rather difficult to answer; however, its usage in everyday conversation in many organizations would suggest that people have a definite idea of what a dashboard is. Furthermore, search engine results provide no shortage of definitions. But those definitions can differ significantly and even be contradictory.
Why is it so difficult to define a dashboard? In part, it is because data visualization as a whole and dashboarding specifically is an emerging field that combines many other disciplines. These disciplines include statistical analysis, graphic and web design, computer science, and even journalism. An emerging field with so many components is a moving target and as such is difficult to define.
For our purposes, we will begin with Stephen Few's definition as it first appeared in an issue...