Design Patterns to Support the Usability and User Experience Evaluation of Dashboards for Decision Support Systems
Abstract
Dashboards are essential tools for real-time monitoring and decision support; however, their design and evaluation often rely on generic usability heuristics that fail to address the specific complexities of data visualization. To address this gap, this paper presents DP-DASHBOARD, a set of structured design patterns aimed at improving the usability and User Experience (UX) of decision support dashboards. The proposed patterns were developed through a methodological process involving an exploratory literature review to identify quality attributes and a Systematic Mapping Study (SMS) to consolidate existing design knowledge. The resulting artifact was empirically evaluated with 21 computer science students to assess its comprehensibility and perceived usefulness. The results indicate a high level of acceptance, confirming that the patterns serve as an effective guide for identifying interface problems and implementing user-centered solutions. The study concludes with the refinement of the patterns based on qualitative feedback, offering a robust framework to assist designers and developers in creating more consistent and intuitive dashboards.