A small set of charts and narrative that executives will actually use.
Design for decisions
Start with the decisions leadership needs to make, such as budget allocation, risk response, or market positioning.
Every chart should answer a question. If it does not, remove it.
Keep the metric set small
Five to eight metrics is usually enough. Include trends, share of voice, and coverage quality, but avoid clutter.
Use comparisons and time windows that align with business cycles, such as quarterly or campaign periods.
Add a short narrative
A two paragraph narrative that explains what changed and why is often more valuable than extra charts.
Pair the narrative with recommended actions so the dashboard drives decisions.
Make methodology visible
Executives trust data more when they can see the method. Keep a short methodology note or appendix that explains sources and scoring.
This prevents debates from derailing the meeting and keeps focus on action.