Quick answer:
Monday.com custom dashboards are centralized workspaces that aggregate data from multiple boards into visual widgets. Project managers can create them by selecting dashboard from the main menu, adding data widgets (charts, tables, timelines), linking relevant boards, and customizing widget filters and views. This method provides tailored insights, improving project oversight without requiring complex setup or coding.

Step-by-step Breakdown: Creating Custom Dashboards in Monday.com

  1. Access the Dashboard Section
    Navigate to the left sidebar and click on “Dashboards” > “Create new dashboard.”

  2. Name Your Dashboard and Set Access Permissions
    Assign a meaningful title and decide who in your team can view or edit.

  3. Add Data Widgets
    Choose widgets like Chart, Battery (progress), Numbers, Timeline, or Table that best represent your data needs.

  4. Connect Relevant Boards
    Link one or multiple boards containing tasks, deadlines, or metrics for live data updates.

  5. Configure Widget Filters and Settings
    Customize widgets by selecting specific groups, status labels, dates, or people assignments for targeted insights.

  6. Arrange and Resize Widgets for Clarity
    Drag and drop widgets to prioritize key information and resize for readability.

  7. Save and Share the Dashboard
    Share via direct links, team notifications, or embed in other tools for transparency.

Mini Decision-Making Checklist: Should You Create a Custom Dashboard in Monday.com?

  • Do you manage multiple boards with overlapping projects?
  • Do you need consolidated, real-time project metrics for quick decision-making?
  • Is cross-team visibility critical for your success?
  • Are you looking for a no-code, flexible visual reporting tool?
  • Do you want to avoid exporting data manually to spreadsheets?

If you answered yes to most, creating a custom dashboard in Monday.com adds significant value.

Why and How Custom Dashboards Enhance Project Management in Monday.com

Dashboards in Monday.com transform scattered project data across boards into unified visuals that tell a clear story for project managers. Instead of toggling between dozens of boards, a dashboard gives you real-time insight into status, timelines, resource allocations, and bottlenecks.

Trade-offs:

  • While dashboards simplify complexity, they depend on well-structured, consistent board setup. Inconsistent data can lead to misleading visuals.
  • Dashboards with many widgets can become cluttered and counterproductive; focus on key metrics.
  • Widgets reflect board data live but do not allow manual data entry; you must keep source boards updated.

Example:
A project manager overseeing software development might link sprint boards, bug-tracking boards, and resource allocation boards, then use charts and battery widgets to monitor sprint progress, bug-fixing rates, and team workloads all on one dashboard.

Realistic Workflow Scenario

Jessica, a marketing project manager, oversees simultaneous campaigns on separate boards. Before dashboards, she juggled multiple tabs and weekly status meetings to gather updates.

Using Monday.com’s custom dashboards, Jessica creates a campaign health dashboard linking each project board. She adds progress bars for content production, charts tracking campaign engagement metrics, and timeline widgets for deadlines.

Now, Jessica can quickly identify stalled tasks or campaigns at risk, sending immediate support requests rather than waiting for meetings. Her team benefits from transparent, up-to-date info accessible 24/7.

Common Mistakes When Creating Monday.com Dashboards

  • Overloading with widgets: Prioritize actionable metrics; dashboards should surface insights, not all data.
  • Linking irrelevant or unstructured boards: Garbage in, garbage out. Ensure board data quality first.
  • Ignoring permissions: Failing to set view/edit rights can cause information leaks or missed updates.
  • Neglecting mobile optimization: Some widgets don’t display well on phones, so tailor dashboards accordingly.

Integrations and Automations to Enhance Dashboards

Monday.com supports integrations (Slack, Gmail, Excel, Google Drive) and automations (status changes notify team, due date reminders) that feed real-time changes into dashboards. For example, automating status updates ensures dashboard widgets reflect the latest task progress without manual refreshes, reducing friction in reporting.

FAQ

Q: Can I create multiple dashboards for different teams?
A: Yes, Monday.com allows unlimited custom dashboards tailored for various departments or projects with unique access controls.

Q: Can dashboards display data from external tools?
A: Dashboards primarily visualize Monday.com board data, but integrations and import automations can sync external information into boards.

Q: How often do dashboards update?
A: Dashboards update in real-time as board data changes, ensuring current project insights.

Q: Are Monday.com dashboards mobile-friendly?
A: Some widgets adapt to mobile, but complex dashboards may require adjustments for optimal viewing on smaller screens.

Q: Can I export dashboard data?
A: You can export individual widget data but not the entire dashboard view directly; exports link back to respective boards.

Closing Recommendation

Monday.com’s custom dashboards are one of the most strategic tools available to project managers for consolidating fragmented project data into actionable insights. Build them with a clear focus on essential metrics, align with your board architecture, and empower your team with transparent, real-time project visibility. Avoid clutter and keep your source boards accurate to maximize dashboard impact.

Where to try these tools

  • Monday.com – [Start a free trial]({{ AFFILIATE_LINK_MONDAY }})

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