The most useful dashboard starts with a review question, then presents the measurements and context needed to answer it.
Give each review its own working view.
A project manager may need a view of one work area. An engineer may need to compare a reference instrument with several nearby channels. SanSignal dashboards let you select variables, arrange widgets, and save a layout that fits the audience and the task.
Combine graphs, scatter plots, tables, and Markdown notes. A graph can show the shape of a change, a table can expose the corresponding values, and a note can identify the work area or explain the purpose of the selected channels. That context helps the next reviewer use the view without reconstructing its intent.
Match the visualization to the question.
Use a time-series graph to review movement over a period, a scatter plot to examine the relationship between two numeric variables, or a table when precision and individual values matter. Configure labels, units, axes, and decimal precision so the presentation carries the meaning of the data.
Choose aggregation deliberately. An average over a window and an individual recorded reading answer different questions. Separate axes help when variables use different units, while gap presentation needs care: a line drawn across missing values can suggest continuity that the source did not provide.
- Graphs for trends and comparisons over time.
- Scatter plots for relationships between numeric variables.
- Tables for values; notes for the context around them.
Go from an overview to a specific reading.
Use a relative range for recent activity and an absolute range when investigating a known event. Move into instrument detail to inspect its variables, recorded values, and available provenance. Use Explore when you first need to establish where the instrument sits within the site.
If a view is empty or a series looks unexpected, check the selected range, variables, access scope, lifecycle, and any recalculation notice. These checks help distinguish a view configuration issue from a gap in the underlying source data.
Common questions.
Can a dashboard combine several instruments?
Yes. Graph and table widgets can present selected variables from instruments in the project, and scatter plots can compare two numeric sources. Access and source availability still apply.
Can stakeholders view dashboards on a smaller screen?
Saved dashboards can be viewed on smaller screens. Layout dragging and resizing require a wider viewport, so plan to build and arrange the dashboard on a desktop-sized screen.