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Dashboards have been the default way to present data for as long as we can remember. Track KPIs, monitor trends, inform decisions,... But ask yourself this: how many people actually make decisions from a dashboard? How often does it spark action, rather than discussion?
Our world is changing fast, and people expect instant answers, contextual guidance, and smart automation to stay ahead of the current. And in that context, dashboards are starting to feel… slow. Static. Out of sync with how we work today. Somewhere along the way we fell in love with charts, but forgot they were just means to an end.
We surveyed over 200 product builders, data experts, and SaaS leaders: Are dashboards becoming outdated? The answers surprised us. Not because they were unanimous, but because they were not. Some said dashboards are done. Others defended them. Most landed somewhere in between.
But underneath all those opinions is one powerful signal: users want more. More clarity, more context, and way less effort to take action, inspired by data.
In this article, we’ll unpack what people really mean when they say 'traditional' dashboards, what’s still working, and where the cracks are starting to show.
Because dashboards aren’t dead. They are at a turning point, and it’s time to build what comes next.
The phrase "traditional dashboard" may sound straightforward... until you ask 200 different people what that means. It quickly became clear just how many interpretations exist.
For some, it’s about static charts and predefined layouts:
“Yes, traditional dashboards are becoming outdated because they are mostly static, hardcoded in the frontend.”
For others, it’s the lack of contextual guidance or personalization:
“They show visualizations but no real insight. You still have to interpret what to do next.”
Some view dashboards as useful tools, just misapplied:
"They suit the needs of 80% of customers, who want ready-to-go dashboards, without customization. The question is valid for the 20% more advanced or demanding customers, who want to tailor dashboards to their specific needs”
Others see them as rigid artifacts in a world that’s moving toward smarter, more conversational interfaces:
“The C-suite wants more textual answers than visual. They no longer accept having to interpret the BI.”
Many agree that traditional dashboards often mean:
In short, traditional dashboards give you a snapshot of the past, not a tool that drives decisions in the moment.
So, where do people really stand on dashboards? Opinions are split, but not black and white. There are two clear camps:
And the remaining 16%? They say it’s complicated. And it's true, because even the strongest yes or no often came with a ‘but.’
But does it even matter if dashboards are outdated or not? What really matters here is whether they still offer value. To that end, the answers showed even more division:
In short, dashboards aren't buried yet, but the expectations around them are changing fast. The responses on our survey speak volumes: people feel strongly about the state of dashboards. Let's unpack some opinions from the opposing camps.
41% of SaaS builders and users believe dashboards are losing relevance. Some are even ready to leave them behind entirely:
“Everyone wants small dashboards with just the information they need, without spending too much time on an external platform. They want actionable points, not just data.”
“Dashboards don’t give me any concrete insights I can act on.”
“Yes—they are mostly static, hardcoded in the frontend. People want alerts where they already are: email or text, not another platform.”
“In the near future, people will just prompt AI for what they’re trying to achieve, and the analysis will be generated on the fly.”
“I believe they are because they’re not querying live data. Tools like Tableau and PowerBI feel overcomplicated.”
Not everyone is ready to ditch dashboards. 29% shared that dashboards are still the preferred way to deliver data:
“Not really. Traditional dashboards still suit the needs of 80% of customers who want ready-to-go reports without customization.”
“Dashboards centralize data and give a clear snapshot. They’re easy to use and accessible to non-technical users.”
“They remain the preferred way of delivering critical data to our customers.”
Plenty of respondents land somewhere in the middle. 30% don’t want to throw dashboards away, but they do want something better:
“They’re not outdated, but their role is changing. Augment them with tools that let users adjust and explore when needed.”
“Traditional dashboards need a facelift. Users want insight, context, and suggested next actions—not just graphics.”
“AI will play a stronger role, adding prediction and automation—but you still need clean data and an understanding of your business.”
Dashboards aren’t dead, but they can’t stay the way they are.
We’ve all been there. You open a dashboard looking for answers, but instead, you get a wall of charts. You click around, hoping something jumps out. You filter. You refresh. Maybe you export to Excel to do the real digging. Eventually, you bring those numbers to leadership, only to end up in a long, winding discussion about what the data might mean, instead of what to actually do about it.
It’s frustrating. You went looking for clarity, and somehow ended up with more questions than you started with.
That’s the problem. Dashboards were supposed to help us understand. But too often, they slow us down or send us in circles.
At Luzmo, we won't settle for underperforming dashboards. Data should do more than sit in charts. It should guide you, adapt to your needs, and move at the speed of your business. So we’re building a new kind of experience. One where insights are easy to create, tailored to the user, and delivered in the flow of work.
Imagine opening your app and seeing exactly what matters to you. Explained clearly, in plain words, with a chart or two to back it up. No confusion or discussion, just the insight you need, ready to share and act on.
Because when data just makes sense, decisions don’t get stuck in meetings. They move forward. And that’s the kind of experience we’re here to build!
Want to be part of the revolution?
👉 What 200+ voices in SaaS say about the state of dashboards: Read the full report
👉 See how Luzmo is rethinking dashboards: Explore a demo app
👉 Upgrade your product's analytics: Book time with our experts
Build your first embedded data product now. Talk to our product experts for a guided demo or get your hands dirty with a free 10-day trial.
