Beyond the Dashboard | Principle 7: Build Layered Dashboards to Scale Thinking
One-size dashboards are a myth. Build three layers: Outcome for execs (telescope), Driver for teams (levers), Deep Dive for analysts (microscope). AI enriches layers, it doesn’t flatten them. The aim isn’t more charts; it’s scaling clear decisions at the right altitude. Make layers reduce noise. Go!
TL;DR (For Those Who Have a Board Meeting in Ten Minutes)
- One-size-fits-all dashboards are a myth. Trying to serve executives, team leads, and analysts with a single view creates noise for everyone and clarity for no one.
- Build in three layers: Structure your reporting to match how decisions are made. The Outcome Layer for executives (telescope), the Driver Layer for product teams (levers), and the Deep Dive Layer for analysts (microscope).
- AI enriches layers, it doesn’t flatten them. Use AI to summarize deep-dive data for the outcome layer or to flag anomalies in the driver layer. But without clean, structured layers, AI just automates the confusion.
- Your goal is to scale thinking, not just reporting. A good dashboard system provides the right altitude of information to the right person, enabling better, faster decisions at every level.