The future of dashboards: less visualization, more action

For years, dashboards were treated as the center of business intelligence. The more charts, filters, and visualizations, the greater the feeling of control.

In practice, however, many companies have discovered that visualizing data is not the same as making good decisions. The future of dashboards points to a clear shift: less time looking at charts and more time executing data-driven actions.

As businesses become more complex and the volume of information grows, the traditional BI model begins to show its limitations. Static dashboards require constant interpretation, depend on manual updating, and often fail to answer managers' most pressing questions.

When visualization ceases to generate value

According to Gartner, a significant portion of corporate dashboards are underutilized after the first few months of implementation. This happens because they deliver information, but not guidance. The manager sees the number, but still needs to understand the context, identify the cause, and decide what to do next.

This gap between seeing and acting is where many opportunities are lost. In dynamic markets, waiting for the end of the month or the next meeting to react can cost revenue, efficiency, and competitiveness. The problem isn't visualization itself, but its excess without practical direction.

The shift in focus: from passive analysis to data-driven action

The future of BI doesn't eliminate dashboards, but redefines their role. Instead of being the final destination of analysis, they become merely a means. The real value lies in actionable insights, intelligent alerts, and clear recommendations on what needs attention now.

More analytically mature companies already operate in this model. They don't wait for someone to "read" the dashboard; they receive automatic signals when something deviates from expectations or when a relevant opportunity arises. This reduces cognitive effort and accelerates strategic decisions.

The role of artificial intelligence in this evolution

Artificial intelligence is the main driver of this transformation. By analyzing large volumes of data in real time, AI can identify patterns, anticipate trends, and prioritize actions without relying on manual navigation through charts and reports.

According to McKinsey, organizations that use AI to support decisions reduce the time spent on repetitive analyses by up to 40%. This frees leaders and teams to focus on execution, not data interpretation. The dashboard ceases to be a control panel and becomes a guidance system.

From "what happened?" to "what to do now?"

The big shift in the future of dashboards lies in the change of question. Instead of looking to the past and trying to understand what happened, companies are now asking: "what does this require of us now?". This approach transforms data into a living asset, connected to strategy and operation.

Indicators remain important, but they are now accompanied by context, impact, and possible next steps. This logic reduces noise, increases clarity, and significantly improves the quality of decisions.

Where Sherlock fits into this new scenario

Sherlock is born aligned with this new vision of BI. Instead of overwhelming managers with complex visualizations, the platform connects data, interprets information with AI, and delivers direct answers, actionable insights, and intelligent alerts.

The focus shifts from "monitoring dashboards" to acting on reliable data. With less friction between analysis and decision-making, companies gain speed, reduce rework, and increase their ability to generate consistent results.

Fewer charts, more impact

The future of dashboards is not about abandoning visualization, but about putting it at the service of action. In a data-driven world, the winner will be those who can transform information into action, quickly and accurately.

Less time looking at charts. More time deciding and executing.

This is how data intelligence truly becomes a competitive differentiator.