Creating reports in Power BI is about more than making them look nice. The real goal is to build data products that help people make decisions and provide real business value.
This article outlines a clear methodology that connects the artistic side of design with technical data development through User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) best practices.
🎥 Watch the Full Session
Here’s a link to the session where the methodology is explained in action, showing examples of dashboards and mockups:
A Structured Methodology: Design Thinking and UX Layers
To avoid subjective opinions, the methodology uses Design Thinking and the layers of user experience. The agile process has five main stages: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.
It also follows a hierarchical structure from bottom to top:
- Strategy: Identify user needs and dashboard objectives.
- Scope: Define content requirements and functional specifications.
- Structure: Plan the information architecture and user interactions.
- Skeleton: Decide on visuals and how to communicate insights effectively.
- Surface: Apply the final visual design and organization-wide Design System.
Analogy for Better Understanding: Think of building a Power BI dashboard like constructing a skyscraper. You don’t start with paint colors in the lobby. First, understand tenant needs (Strategy), create blueprints (Structure), build the steel frame (Skeleton). Only after the building is structurally sound do you apply finishes (Surface) to make it professional and inviting.
The Power of a Design System
A Design System is more than colors and fonts. It is a standardized framework for the entire organization, including:
- Navigation: Primary and secondary menus to guide users through reports.
- Interactive Elements: Define button states (default, selected, hover) for intuitive interaction.
- Contextual Information: Use titles, subtitles, and descriptions so users can analyze independently.
- Consistency: Standardize visuals like rounded corners, label contrast, and layout principles to create order.
Optimizing Workflow: Mockups Before Power BI
A key recommendation is to avoid opening Power BI too early. Start with low-fidelity mockups or wireframes to validate layout and navigation. Tools like mockups.com or even paper sketches work.
Benefits of this approach:
- Saves Time: Validating interaction first avoids rework.
- Independence from Data: Layout and analytics can be discussed while data is still being cleaned.
- Grayscale Validation: Focus on structure before adding branding or colors.
Implementation and Business Impact
Once the prototype is approved:
- Apply the Design System in Power BI using JSON themes and pre-built components like headers, grids, and synchronized visuals.
- Reuse styles across multiple reports, reducing development time drastically.
The result is standardization, faster onboarding for new users, and a professional, functional dashboard. Focusing on usability over personal aesthetic preferences ensures dashboards remain tools for business success.
Conclusion
Adopting a UX/UI methodology for Power BI transforms how dashboards are built and consumed. By combining design thinking, structured UX layers, and a standardized design system, organizations can create dashboards that are intuitive, consistent, and actionable. Starting with mockups and prototypes saves time and prevents rework, while applying the design system ensures reports are professional and scalable. Ultimately, this approach bridges the gap between data and design, turning Power BI dashboards into true business decision-making tools.
🌍 Continuing the Journey
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