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If you’ve ever visited the Harris County Office of County Administration webpage, you probably encountered our dashboards. Dashboards are one of the tools OCA uses to share information that is both visually appealing and accessible. To learn more about what makes dashboards useful tools, the different dashboards Harris County, the OCA, and the Research and Analysis Division (RAD) produce, and how to build your own dashboard, read on!

What is a data dashboard?
A data dashboard is a group of visualizations that are related and present relevant information on a specific topic or process, usually displayed on a single screen or a number of screens navigated through menu options and toggles. Dashboards may include key performance indicators, metrics, or other data points of interest to the dashboard’s audience. The objective of a dashboard is to help audiences quickly identify important information or key highlights. A dashboard can be designed for internal or external audiences, depending on their type and purpose.Dashboards are usually interactive, allowing users to click on datapoints for a deeper dive into the information and an opportunity to learn more about a specific piece of data.

How does a data dashboard differ from a data visualization and a report?
Data visualizations includes the representation of data through varying visual formats—whether through a chart, table, graph, or other representation—to make the information more digestible. A dashboard is made up of a group of related data visualizations.

Conversely, a report is a static product with static visuals, while a dashboard is interactive and frequently updated, sometimes in real-time or as more up-to-date data becomes available. A report may be useful to explain a moment of time with data during a specific timeframe, whereas a data dashboard may provide users with the ability to view data over longer durations, more timely and updated data uploads, and allow users to zoom in on areas of interest.

What are the different types of dashboards?
The type of dashboard to consider depends on the objective of the dashboard and whether it is internal or external, the data to be presented, and the audience engaging with the dashboard. Data dashboards typically fall into four broad categories: Strategic, Analytical, Operational, and Tactical.

Strategic, analytical, operational, and tactical dashboards are typically internal to an organization and are used to help management better understand the inner workings of their organization. For example, senior leadership use strategic dashboards to better understand the health of their organization by tracking metrics and key performance indicators against long-term goals, while data or business analysts use analytical dashboards to identify patterns and make conclusions about relevant relationships.

In contrast, an operational dashboard, which typically has a basic interface, is used by management to monitor and identify issues in work processes. Lastly, management may use tactical dashboards to track small tasks within larger projects to monitor project progress.Another type of dashboard to consider developing is a public dashboard designed for consumption by public audiences. While published dashboards have not been captured in the catalogue of traditional data visualization, experts assert that dashboards are increasingly becoming a tool used by governments, private companies, and other entities to share and communicate information to the public.

Another type of dashboard to consider developing is a public dashboard designed for consumption by public audiences. While published dashboards have not been captured in the catalogue of traditional data visualization, experts assert that dashboards are increasingly becoming a tool used by governments, private companies, and other entities to share and communicate information to the public.

In recent years, public sector entities have increasingly relied on dashboards to improve transparency, with counties publishing information on annual budgets and spending, pandemic-related American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending, and progress on metrics outlined within their strategic plans, among other areas.

How are dashboards used in Harris County?
Like many public sector entities, Harris County uses dashboards to communicate information internally and to keep track of progress in internal processes, and externally, to communicate certain information with the public. Harris County currently has a dashboards and datasets page, which includes links to various Harris County-managed dashboards.

The Harris County Commissioners Court regularly requests that certain departments develop dashboards related to various metrics. One important Harris County dashboard is the jail population dashboard, which updates daily and provides metrics on the total jail population within Harris County custody. Other important dashboards display information on air pollution (Pollution Control Services), animal shelter population (Harris County Public Health), ARPA program spending (Office of County Administration), District Court caseloads (Harris County District Courts), and bail bonds (Office of County Administration).

The Harris County Five-Year Strategic Plan, which was approved by Commissioners Court in October 2024, includes two initiatives related to the development of dashboards—one to summarize the number of individuals that interact with the criminal justice system, and another that focuses on developing a community housing plan and associated dashboard. The Strategic Plan website will soon feature dashboards tracking the county’s progress on key initiatives.

How can I make a dashboard and where can I learn more?
With the wealth of data visualization tools, online tutorials, and data available, there are many opportunities available to start making your own data visualizations and dashboards. Here are some steps to consider as you start building your dashboards:

1. Think through your audience and the purpose of the dashboard. What are you hoping to communicate with your visual(s), and who are you hoping to communicate information?
2. Identify your data sources and ensure that you are using only the data necessary to convey the information to your audience. Remember—you do not have to present all the data! Focus on only the most relevant and impactful data points. The US Census Bureau has many free datasets you can use to get started.  
3. Use paper to brainstorm and sketch out your dashboard with what it is you want to present and how the information is laid out. Some people use paper, others may use a Microsoft Word document, and others may use a board. Whatever your medium of choice, sketching out your graphs, charts, and key takeaways can help you zoom in on what it is you are trying to show, how you are presenting it, and where you may be over or underdoing it.  
4. Build your data dashboard. In Harris County, departments use Tableau Software, Microsoft Power BI, and Microsoft Excel to build their dashboards. Play around with colors to highlight trends and patterns and use drop down menus, toggles, and other features to make your dashboard interactive.
5. Present your dashboard and make changes based on feedback. This may be the most important part of the data dashboard-building process. If your audience does not understand what you are trying to convey, go back to the drawing board and iterate on your visuals.
6. Contact the Research and Analysis Division (RAD) for assistance and as a thought partner. The RAD team has worked with partners across Harris County to make data visualizations and dashboards and to provide feedback on existing visuals. Feel free to reach out to the RAD team if you need assistance or simply for a brainstorming session!

Above all, have fun!