Data Visualization¶

⚠️ THIS DOCUMENTATION SECTION IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT & REVIEW ⚠️

The Lifebox M&E System integrates with Metabase, a powerful business intelligence tool that enables users to explore, visualize, and share data insights without requiring technical expertise. This section provides comprehensive guidance on creating, managing, and using dashboards to monitor program performance.

Dashboard Builder¶

The Dashboard Builder is the core feature for creating customized data visualizations. It allows users to combine multiple charts, graphs, and tables into a single view for comprehensive program monitoring.

Key Features and Benefits¶

Benefits for Lifebox M&E: - Centralized Monitoring: All program indicators in one view - Stakeholder Communication: Share progress with donors and partners - Data-Driven Decisions: Real-time insights for program adjustments - Time Savings: Reduce manual report creation time significantly

Interface Overview¶

Accessing the Dashboard: 1. Log into the Lifebox M&E System at https://mne.lifebox.org/

1. Click the Dashboard tab in the main navigation

1. Select from existing dashboard tabs to look into various dashboards

(Global Indicators (All In One), Snapshot, Training, Lifebox Learning Network, Device Distributions, DHIS2 etc...)

Using the Dashboard¶

There are various options to go through and explore the data visualizations within the dashboard section.

As mentioned earlier there are prebuilt data visualizations that are embeded within the system which can not be customized from the M&E System. However there are futher operations available within:

Filters:¶

Each individual prebuilt dashboards have their own filters and also default values so that they will give accurate information and data values.

For Example: - Training

• Device Distribution

• DHIS2

• PMI (Performance Monitoring Indicators)

Export/Download¶

There are various ways of exporting data visualizations's data or charts such as (.csv, .xlsx, .json, .png) formats.

To do these, you will need to first click on your desired chart/visualizations in each visualizations there is a 3 dot (...) and click that and you will see a Download Results button and when you click that you will get the options to download/export to the available formats displayed like the picture below.

Dashboard Components:

Accessing the Dashboard Builder and Analytics via Metabase¶

Note: To get access you will need to get a permission from Lifebox's M&E System Admin or you will need to be invited.

URL: https://mne.lifebox.org/metabase/

Enter your credentials on the login page correctly if you have Access.

Here the first thing you will get when you are logged in is the (Lifebox at Glance Landing Dashboard page)

If you have the access to edit/modify the dashboard you can start Editing by Clickin on the Pencil Icon at the top of

Interface Controls:

Creating a New Dashboard¶

Step 1: Access the Dashboard Builder

1. From the main dashboard, click Create → Dashboard
2. You can also access this from the + icon in the top navigation

Step 2: Configure Dashboard Settings

Complete the following fields:

Step 3: Add Questions to Dashboard

After creating the dashboard, you'll need to add visualizations (called "questions" in Metabase):

NOTE: The system already have prebuilt questions and collections that you can use to add to your Dashboard which can be found on the left side bar as the picture below.

Note: the List of Collections depends based on your access level!

Below are the steps for you to Add Questions from Collections to your Dashboard.

1. Click Add questions or the + icon
2. Choose from:
3. Existing Questions: Use previously saved visualizations which are already stored in your personal collection or stored in Questions Collection which are already designed (You only Need to Select the Question in this case)
4. New Question: Create a new visualization from scratch
5. For each question, you can:
6. Resize: Drag corners to adjust size
7. Reposition: Drag to move cards
8. Configure: Double-click to edit settings

For More Visual guide have a look at what you should be looking when you are adding a Question(s) to your Dashboard.

Step 4: Create New Visualizations (Questions)

Creating a Simple Visualization:

1. Click Create → Question

1. Choose question

1. Select your data source:
2. data_values for PMI data
3. training_participants for training data
4. device_distribution for device tracking
5. indicator_actuals for indicator performance

After that you can summarize by the availble options

And you can also Group Columns you want to represent in the Visualization you are creating.

You have also Additional Features such Joining Data, Filtering, Sorting and So much more...

One of the most commonly used feature is also Filtering which has the following features and functionalities. Which you can also further configure as seen on the following picture.

1. Configure your visualization:

There are multiple Types of charts and visualizations for you to choose from with the appropriate data structure being constructed from your previous steps you will be able to choose from the following types of charts and visualizations.

You can follow on the following example to create your own Question/Chart accordingly or any other you want.

Example: Count Projects by Region - Select: projects table - Summarize: Count of rows - Group by: region_id - Sort by: Count (descending) - Visualization: Bar chart

Example: Training Completion Rate - Select: training_participants - Summarize: Count where completion_status = 'Completed' - Group by: training_name - Visualization: Pie chart

Example: Indicator Performance Trend - Select: indicator_actuals - Add filter: indicator_id = 5 - Summarize: Average of actual_value - Group by: period_year, period_quarter - Sort by: period_year, period_quarter - Visualization: Line chart

Creating a Custom Question (with Joins):

For more complex visualizations combining multiple tables:

1. Click Create → Question → Custom question
2. Select your starting table
3. Click Join data to add related tables
4. Configure joins:
5. data_values → indicators (on data_element_id)
6. training_participants → trainings (on training_id)

7. beneficiaries → projects (on project_id)

8. Select fields to display

9. Apply filters and aggregations
10. Save with a descriptive name

Step 5: Arrange Dashboard Layout

Once you've added questions to your dashboard:

1. Drag cards to reposition them
2. Resize cards by clicking and dragging the bottom-right corner
3. Use grid alignment to maintain professional appearance
4. Group related cards together for logical flow

Step 6: Organizing the created Dashboard/Question/Query to a Desired Collection/Dashboard

Step 7: Saving

---¶

Example of Recommended Layout for PMI Dashboard:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Lifebox PMI Performance Dashboard - Q1 2026                    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  [Region: All] [Year: 2026] [Quarter: Q1]                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ┌──────────────────┐  ┌──────────────────┐  ┌───────────────┐  │
│  │ Total Trained    │  │ Devices Shipped  │  │ Active        │  │
│  │ 1,234            │  │ 856              │  │ Projects: 45  │  │
│  └──────────────────┘  └──────────────────┘  └───────────────┘  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│  │ Indicator Performance (vs Target)                          │ │
│  │ [Bar Chart - 8 indicators with target lines]               │ │
│  └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ┌──────────────────────────────────┐  ┌──────────────────────┐ │
│  │ Training Completion by Region    │  │ Device Usage Status  │ │
│  │ [Pie Chart]                      │  │ [Donut Chart]        │ │
│  └──────────────────────────────────┘  └──────────────────────┘ │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│  │ Quarterly Performance Trend (Last 6 Quarters)              │ │
│  │ [Line Chart with multiple indicators]                      │ │
│  └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Managing Dashboards¶

Adding Filters to Dashboards

Filters allow users to dynamically explore data across all visualizations:

Step-by-Step:

1. Click Edit on the dashboard
2. Click Add filter button
3. Choose filter type:

1. Configure filter:
2. Label: "Select Region"
3. Column: region_id (from data source)
4. Widget type: Dropdown
5. Default value: "All regions"

6. Multi-select: Enabled

7. Map filter to cards:

8. Select which cards should respond to this filter
9. Click Save

Managing Dashboard Cards

Card Actions: | Action | How to Access | Description | |--------|---------------|-------------| | Edit | Click card → Edit | Modify question settings | | Duplicate | Click card → Duplicate | Create copy for modification | | Download | Click download icon | Export as PNG, CSV, or JSON | | Remove | Click card → Remove | Delete from dashboard | | Resize | Drag bottom-right corner | Adjust size (1-4 columns wide) |

Card Settings: - Title: Custom display name - Description: Add context for viewers - Visualization: Change chart type - Data: Modify filters or aggregations - Appearance: Customize colors and labels

Scheduling Dashboard Subscriptions

Automate report delivery to stakeholders:

1. Click Subscribe on dashboard
2. Configure schedule:

1. Add recipients:
2. Enter email addresses (separate with commas)
3. Add custom message

4. Choose filter settings to include

5. Click Create subscription

Example: Monthly Report to Program Managers

Frequency: Monthly
Day: 1st of month
Time: 9:00 AM
Format: PDF
Recipients: <program@lifebox.org>, <mne@lifebox.org>
Message: "Please find attached the monthly PMI performance dashboard for review before the monthly meeting."

Sharing Dashboards

Option 1: Shareable Link 1. Click Share on dashboard 2. Copy the shareable link 3. Send to authorized users (requires login)

Option 2: Embed in Application 1. Click Share → Embed this dashboard 2. Configure embed settings: - Enable/disable filters - Set default parameters - Allow/disallow downloads

1. Copy embed code:

   <iframe src="https://mne.lifebox.org/metabase/embed/dashboard/1"
           width="1200" height="800"
           frameborder="0"
           allowfullscreen>
   </iframe>
   

Option 3: Public Link (with caution)

1. Click Share → Make this dashboard public
2. Confirm security considerations
3. Copy public link (visible to anyone with link)

⚠️ Security Note: Only use public links for non-sensitive data

Organizing Dashboards with Collections

Collections help organize dashboards for different audiences:

Creating Collections:

1. Click Create → Collection
2. Enter collection name
3. Choose location (Personal or Shared)
4. Set permissions:
5. Read: View only
6. Write: Can add/modify
7. Admin: Full control

Example of Recommended Collection Structure:

Lifebox Collections/
├── Quarterly Reports/
│   ├── Q1 2026 Dashboard
│   ├── Q2 2026 Dashboard
│   └── Q3 2026 Dashboard
├── Donor Dashboards/
│   ├── USAID Performance
│   ├── EU Progress Report
│   └── Global Fund Metrics
├── Operational Dashboards/
│   ├── Training Performance
│   ├── Device Distribution Tracker
│   └── Learning Network Analytics
├── PMI Indicator Dashboards/
│   ├── Outcome Indicators
│   ├── Output Indicators
│   └── Cross-cutting Indicators
└── Public Dashboards/
    ├── Public Impact Metrics
    └── Annual Results Summary

Archiving and Deleting Dashboards

Archive (Recommended for temporary removal):

1. Navigate to dashboard
2. Click ... → Move to trash
3. Archived dashboards can be restored from trash

Permanent Delete:

1. Navigate to trash
2. Select dashboard(s)
3. Click Delete permanently
4. Confirm deletion

Duplicate Dashboard:

1. Click ... → Duplicate
2. Rename the copy
3. Modify for new reporting period

Export/Import Dashboard:

1. Click ... → Export
2. Dashboard exports as JSON file
3. To import: Create → Dashboard → Import

Dashboard Performance Optimization

Best Practices:

• Limit to 6-8 cards per dashboard for optimal loading
• Use filters to reduce data volume
• Set appropriate refresh intervals:
• Real-time dashboards: 5-15 minutes
• Daily monitoring: 30-60 minutes
• Weekly reports: No auto-refresh
• Use summaries instead of detailed tables when possible
• Limit historical data to relevant time periods
• Consider creating materialized views for complex queries

Troubleshooting Common Dashboard Issues:

Available Dashboard Templates¶

The Lifebox M&E System includes pre-configured dashboards to help you get started quickly:

1. PMI Performance Dashboard

• Purpose: Monitor key PMI indicators
• Cards: 8 key outcome indicators, regional performance, quarterly trends
• Audience: Program Managers, M&E Team

2. Training Dashboard

• Purpose: Track training activities and participant outcomes
• Cards: Training completion rates, participant demographics, pre/post test results
• Audience: Training Coordinators, Program Managers

3. Device Distribution Dashboard

• Purpose: Monitor device inventory and distribution
• Cards: Devices shipped, devices in use, facility-level distribution
• Audience: Logistics Team, Program Managers

4. Learning Network Dashboard

• Purpose: Track Lifebox Learning Network engagement
• Cards: Active users, course completions, participant feedback
• Audience: Program Managers, Communications Team

5. Global Indicators Dashboard

• Purpose: High-level program overview
• Cards: Total reach, active projects, key outcome indicators
• Audience: Senior Management, Donors

Data Visualization Best Practices¶

Chart Selection Guide:

Dashboard Design Principles:

• Clarity: Use clear titles and labels
• Consistency: Use same colors for same metrics across charts
• Context: Include targets or benchmarks for comparison
• Simplicity: Avoid clutter, focus on key metrics
• Accessibility: Ensure colorblind-friendly palettes
• Mobile Optimization: Test on different devices

Color Palette for Lifebox Dashboards:

• Primary: #2c7e9b (Lifebox Blue)
• Secondary: #3da58a (Lifebox Green)
• Areal Background: #FFEE7B (Accent Yellow)
• Tertiary: #ff6b6b (Accent Red)
• Neutral: #f8f9fa (Light background)

Frequently Asked Questions¶

Q: How often is dashboard data updated? A: Data is updated in real-time from the PostgreSQL database. You can also configure auto-refresh intervals (1-60 minutes) in dashboard settings.

Q: Can I export dashboard data? A: Yes. Click the download icon on any card to export as CSV, XLSX, PNG, or JSON. Entire dashboards can be exported as PDF.

Q: How do I share a dashboard with external partners? A: Use the share/embed option to generate a shareable link, or use dashboard subscriptions to email reports. For external sharing, consider security implications.

Q: Can I create my own custom charts? A: Yes. Use the Question Builder to create any visualization, then add it to your dashboard. No SQL knowledge required.

Q: What if my data isn't showing correctly? A: Check your filters, verify date ranges, ensure you've selected the correct data source, and confirm your user permissions.

Q: Can I schedule automatic report emails? A: Yes. Use the Subscribe feature to schedule daily, weekly, or monthly email delivery of any dashboard.

Getting Help with Visualizations¶

If you need assistance with creating or managing dashboards:

• System Documentation: Access the Metabase user guide from the Help menu
• Support Email: Contact support@merqconsultancy.org
• User Training: Schedule personalized training sessions with the system administrator
• Troubleshooting Guide: Refer to the Section Managing Dashboards for common dashboard issues

More Steps and Guide can Be found through the Official Documentation of Metabase¶

Metabase Official Documentation (RECOMMENDED!)

Now that you understand how to visualize and interact with data, you can move on to Data Entry & Management Section, where you'll learn how to enter and validate as well as a detailed walkthrough of Data Entry and Management. 🚀