Lost a client because my dashboard used red and green indicators

Had a logistics manager call me last Tuesday, couldn't tell which shipments were delayed. Cost me a $5k contract. You really need to add patterns or text labels next to colored status icons.

2 comments

2 Comments

oscarwilliams2d ago

OH man that totally SUCKS. I had the exact same issue with a warehouse team last year. I switched to using striped patterns for red and dotted patterns for green, plus a little text label that says "Delayed" or "On Time" right next to the dot. Fixed everything.

gavin_mason312d ago

Wait, did your team push back on the text labels at first? A buddy of mine runs logistics at a parts distributor, and he tried something similar for his inventory dashboards. His guys kept misreading the color-only signals during rush hours, so he added little icons too a little truck for shipped and a clock for pending. He said it took about a week for everyone to get used to it, but now nobody misreads the board. @oscarwilliams your striped pattern idea is genius, I might steal that for my friend's setup!