The number is useful when it has context and responsibility.
The display of energy consumption can make the discussion of the operation team more accurate. For this, each indicator must have a source, unit, interval and understandable meaning.
Why is this application important?
A large number on a display may attract attention, but without context it does not support a decision. Which area and period does consumption cover? When was it refreshed, and what is the comparison baseline? The value of an energy dashboard in digital signage lies in making trusted information available to the right audience.
The building manager, maintenance team and general staff do not need the same details. The technical team may want the process and status of the resource; In a public setting, a simple explanation of the indicator and the associated action is more useful. The choice of the destination should be done before designing the chart.
From idea to usable implementation
Place the unit and interval next to the number
Consumption amount and consumption rate are different concepts. Clearly display the title, unit, and time period, and use synonyms for comparisons. Changing the scale of a chart or interval should not create a misleading impression without explanation.
Interpret the baseline with operating conditions
Comparison of two periods without regard to the hours of operation, occupation of space or environmental conditions may give incorrect results. The basis of comparison should be determined by the responsible team and the necessary explanation should be available. Green or red color alone does not take the place of defining the ideal criteria.
Define a review path for each indicator
When an unexpected value appears, who checks the source and who decides what action to take? The display must be part of this workflow. Stale-data status or a source outage must also be visible so the team does not make decisions based on an invalid value.
Scenario: daily review of an office building
The exploitation team selects limited and relevant indicators from the authorized source. The dashboard in the workspace shows the trend and time of the data. In the daily review, the unexpected change is first checked in terms of source validity and terms of use; Then, the person responsible for the follow-up and the result of the investigation are recorded.
Answer before displaying any indicator
| Question | Required information | Effect on use |
|---|---|---|
| What is this number? | Definition, unit and range | The same understanding of the indicator |
| How fresh is it | Data time and frequency of reception | Credit detection |
| What to do | Review criteria and responsible | Connect to the work process |
How to evaluate the result?
Record unit and time completion, resource availability, and follow-up items. To claim consumption reduction, valid measurement and comparison plan is required; Simply installing the dashboard does not prove such a result. The purpose of the first stage is to increase data clarity and follow-up order.
This scenario in SignagePlus
Energy and sustainability app, data dashboard and SignagePlus information display facilities can be used to create monitoring and notification scenarios. The authorized source, frequency of receiving and definition of indicators are specified in the design of the solution so that the output is related to the needs of the user.
Common questions
Do more charts make a dashboard better?
No. Select indicators whose meaning the audience understands and for which a clear review path exists. A small, related set of indicators makes operational review easier.
Should Public and Technical Dashboards Be Identical?
The needs of the two audiences are different. The technical dashboard can be more detailed; Public content is best focused on an understandable message and authoritative information.