How to build a dashboard in OutSystems that displays key metrics using aggregates and charts?

Building a Dashboard in OutSystems to Display Key Metrics Using Aggregates and Charts

 

Creating a dashboard in OutSystems that displays key metrics using aggregates and charts involves several steps, which include preparing your environment, designing your data model, using aggregates to fetch data, and visualizing the data using charts. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process step-by-step.

 

Prerequisites

 

• An OutSystems account with a project set up where you wish to build the dashboard.
• Basic knowledge of OutSystems platform, including its Service Studio and entities.
• Familiarity with fundamental data concepts such as entities, attributes, and data types.
• Understanding of basic visualization principles to make the dashboard user-friendly.

 

Setting Up Your OutSystems Environment

 

• Log in to your OutSystems environment and open the Service Studio where you want to create the dashboard.
• Make sure your data model is defined. This includes creating entities and relationships which are necessary for your metrics.
• Check that you have all the necessary permissions to access the data and create screens in your environment.

 

Designing Your Data Model

 

• Define the entities and attributes that will store the data you are interested in viewing in the dashboard.
• Ensure that your entities have appropriate relationships set up; this is crucial for effective data retrieval.
• Enter some sample data directly into your entities or through data import to facilitate testing.

 

Using Aggregates to Fetch Data

 

• Navigate to your application module and create a new Screen or Web Block that will serve as the dashboard.
• In the Logic tab, create a new Aggregate for each key metric you want to display.
• Configure each Aggregate to retrieve and calculate the necessary data. You may use functions like Count, Sum, Average, etc.
• Add Filters as needed to narrow down the data according to specific criteria.
• Test each Aggregate to ensure it's returning the expected data by previewing the results.

 

Adding Charts to Visualize Data

 

• Switch to the Interface tab and drag a Chart widget from the toolbox to your Dashboard screen canvas.
• Select the Chart type that best suits your data visualization needs (e.g., Line, Bar, Pie, etc.).
• Bind the Chart widget to your Aggregates. For most Chart types, you will set the DataSource property to your Aggregate's output.
• Configure the Chart's properties, like X-Axis and Y-Axis, according to the metrics that you are monitoring.
• Optionally customize the appearance of the chart using properties like colors, labels, titles for enhanced visual appeal.

 

Testing and Deploying Your Dashboard

 

• Test the dashboard within the OutSystems environment by publishing the app to your environment and interacting with it.
• Check that all data is being displayed correctly and that interactions (e.g., filters or drill-downs) work as intended.
• Ask for feedback from end-users and make iterative improvements based on usability and data presentation.
• Once satisfied, deploy the application to your production environment following OutSystems deployment guidelines.

 

By following these steps, you can effectively build a comprehensive dashboard in OutSystems that presents key metrics using aggregates and dynamic charts. This approach ensures you maximize the capabilities of OutSystems to create informative and visually appealing dashboards tailored to your project needs.