Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
Hi, I’m Wheeler del Torro, the Founding Chief Relations Officer at Evaluation + Learning Consulting. Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most thrilling races in the world. As I watched the pit crews respond to every twist and turn in real time, I couldn’t stop thinking about how powerful it is to see data as it happens.
This isn’t just an F1 thing. It’s what many of our partners are asking from us: “Can we make this a live dashboard?” In fact, we’re asked to build interactive dashboards more often than any other product. There’s clearly something compelling about watching your data unfold—and acting on it in real time.
Real-Time Data Builds Real Engagement. In Formula 1, fans watch driver stats, tire conditions, even heart rates in real time. They don’t just want results—they want a front-row seat to progress. Our partners often want the same: tools that let them monitor, adjust, and share updates without waiting for the end of a quarter or a grant cycle.
Dashboards Are Decision Tools, Not Just Visuals. Like the F1 pit wall, where engineers call split-second strategy changes, evaluation dashboards should help users act. We’ve seen our most effective dashboards do three things:
Progress Keeps People Invested. One youth-serving nonprofit we worked with wanted a dashboard that showed weekly student attendance trends. At first, it seemed too frequent. But over time, that dashboard built momentum—the staff checked it daily, celebrated small wins, and adjusted activities fast. It didn’t just inform—it energized.
If you’re ready to build your own live dashboard, here are three leading platforms to consider:
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