09. KPI cards, gauges and geographical maps

KPI cards, gauges and geographical maps

Cards compress performance, gauges compare with target values and maps show spatial patterns - three powerful representations with different requirements.

Open Dashboard Designer on the desktop Administration.

Your goal

You can build Card, Gauge and Map with value, target, delta, time reference and suitable dimensions and make them correctly interpretable.

Why this is crucial in the dashboard designer

These elements are eye-catchers. That's exactly why they have to be particularly honest: unity, goal, direction and color effect must leave no room for interpretation.

Elements and settings at a glance

• Actual value: Current KPI value.
• Target value: Comparison or target value.
• Delta: distance between actual and target; Direction and meaning must be defined.
• Sparkline/Trend: Compact time course of the key figure.
• Gauge scale: Minimum, maximum and target marks.
• Card layout: Arrangement of title, value, delta and additional information.
• Map Dimension: Country, region, zip code, city or geo coordinate.
• Map value: Key figure for color, size or label.
• Initial view: Start section and zoom of the map.

Here's how to do it

1. Define KPI, unit, goal, time period and desired direction.
2. Bind the actual and target values and check the delta calculation.
3. Only choose Card for compression or gauge if the scale makes sense.
4. Use Map only with robust geographic keys.
5. Test positive, negative, null and missing values.

Exercise

Create a sales versus plan card with a monthly sparkline and a gauge for goal achievement. Then see if the same statement would be easier to understand in a small bar chart.

Check the result

• KPI definition and time period are visible.
• Positive and negative directions correspond to technical logic.
• The goal and scale are realistic.
• Geographical classification is clear.
• Colors alone do not carry meaning.

Typical errors and their solutions

• Misinterpreting green when costs are falling: For each KPI, define whether higher or lower is better.
• Gauge scale too wide: Visually reduces relevant deviations.
• Location without country/region: May be misattributed geographically.

Your result

Central results are eye-catching and yet remain technically precise and verifiable.

Further information / source

Related topics

1. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Dashboard designer › 06. Select dashboard elements specifically
2. For Customizer – Customize screens and forms › Dashboard designer › 15. Conditional formatting and color scheme
3. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Dashboard designer › 17. Titles, labels, currencies and units

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