What is a dashboard?

A dashboard is a visual display of the most important information needed to achieve one or more objectives; consolidated and arranged on a single screen so the information can be monitored at a glance.

Reference: - http://www.dashboardinsight.com/articles/digital-dashboards/fundamentals/what-is-a-dashboard.aspx

·       What is the role of dashboards in business intelligence?

Successful companies incorporate Business Intelligence into their budgeting and forecasting strategies and rely heavily on Business Intelligence dashboards to monitor and analyze their information. Dashboards can display, analyze, and compare historical figures with budgets, forecasts, and sales targets. A focused dashboard can also provide deep analysis of budgets and forecasts. This is especially effective when your Business Intelligence solution is integrated with your budget planning software as it allows for immediate analysis and updates of budgets and forecasts.

Reference:-http://www.mas-ss.com/blog/bid/155733/The-Importance-of-the-Business-Intelligence-Dashboard

·       How can dashboards help with big data?

Many Businesses need to manage their data for present and future purposes as well, so this dashboards helping them big time to do the job in a good way when the data amount is huge. In many cases these powerful dashboards allows the businesses to save their time in processing their data.

·       How are dashboards useful in business?

Business managers and owners use a number of different tools to track their progress and determine how well the business is performing. The business dashboard is one of these tools that provides a snapshot of most of the important numbers needed to conduct effective business analysis. Dashboards can be used in all levels of business management but are typically most important to higher level managers who need a quick glimpse at how the company is performing.

Reference: - http://smallbusiness.chron.com/dashboards-used-business-32876.html