Kibana is a robust tool for visualizing and analyzing data in ElasticSearch. To fully leverage the capabilities of Kibana, improve user experience, and deepen data insights, here are some best practices for Kibana.
1. Dashboard Design
Defined Objectives
Before creating a dashboard, it is crucial to define your objectives and requirements. Identify the insights you aim to extract from the data to tailor the design of the visualization components accordingly. For example, if you are a data analyst for an e-commerce platform, you might want to design a dashboard to monitor product sales. Your goal would be to identify the most popular product categories and buying trends.
Simplicity and Focus
Avoid overcrowding dashboards and try to ensure simplicity. Highlight key metrics and information to prevent distracting users. Refrain from cluttering a single dashboard with excessive information, ensuring that users can focus on key metrics.
2. Visualization
Choosing the Appropriate Chart Type
Select the chart type that best fits the characteristics of your data, such as line charts, bar charts, or pie charts. Make sure the type of chart can effectively represent your data. For example, to show trends in product sales, a line chart may be your choice. This can clearly demonstrate how sales for various categories evolve over time.
Axis Labels and Titles
Add clear labels to the axes and titles to the charts to help users understand what the data means. Labels should be straightforward and simple, and avoid overly technical terms. For example, add labels for the horizontal and vertical axes to a line chart, denoting time and sales, respectively. Add a title to the chart such as "Product Sales Trends".
3. Search and Filter
Using Filters
Use the filters of Kibana for quick selection and data filtering. Establish predefined filters for common filtering conditions, enabling users to quickly retrieve specific data. For example, create predefined filters such as "Electronics", "Clothing", and "Home Goods" to facilitate easy data filtering for specific product categories.
Using Query Language
Become familiar with the query language of Kibana to accurately extract required data during searches. Use this query language to structure complex search conditions. For example, to further filter products with sales exceeding a certain value, the query language can be used, such as sales_amount: >1000.
4. Dashboard Layout
Flexible Layout
Use the flexible dashboard layout feature of Kibana, to arrange visualization components freely and adapt them according to specific requirements.
Dashboard Spacing
Ensure proper spacing between dashboard components to prevent overlap or congestion.
5. Security
Access Control
Introduce access control based on user roles and permissions to ensure that specific dashboards and data are accessible only to authorized users. For example, configure the system so that only data analysts have access to the sales data dashboard, while it is not accessible to other personnel.
Processing of Sensitive Data
For dashboards that display sensitive data, consider implementing data masking or using field-level permissions to limit access to sensitive information.
6. Performance and Optimization
Data Caching
Use the data caching feature of Kibana to decrease ElasticSearch query load and enhance dashboard loading speed.
Data Update Frequency
Set the dashboard refresh interval based on data update frequency to avoid excessive data refreshing.
These best practices for Kibana are designed to assist in improved dashboard design, creation, and usage. However, please note that actual practices may differ based on specific requirements and scenarios.