Dashboard tiles

Dashboard tiles display your performance test data in different formats to support various analysis needs. Combine different tile types within a single dashboard to create comprehensive performance reports.

Tile types

NeoLoad Web provides four tile types to display your performance data:

Tile type Purpose
Series Show result metrics in line graphs for trend analysis and performance over time.
Table Display result metrics in structured tables for detailed analysis and precise values.
Text Add notes and commentary to provide context, explanations, and insights.
Widget Display predefined single result sets for standard metrics and quick insights.

Series tiles

Series tiles display performance metrics as line graphs, making them ideal for visualizing and tracking trends and patterns over time.

Follow these steps to configure a series tile:

  1. Add a series tile to your dashboard using the sidebar or + Add tile button.

  2. In the configuration panel, select your data source and test results.

  3. Choose which performance metrics to display in the graph.

  4. Define the time range for data visualization.

  5. Customize graph styles, including colors, line styles, and axis labels.

  6. Preview your tile configuration and adjust as needed.

  7. Select Apply to add the configured tile to your dashboard.

Series tiles excel when you need to understand how performance changes over time or identify patterns that point to specific issues. Use series tiles in the following scenarios:

  • Performance trends: Track how response times, throughput, or error rates change over time.

  • Load progression: Visualize how system performance responds to increasing user load.

  • Comparative analysis: Compare metrics between different test runs or configurations.

  • Anomaly detection: Identify unusual patterns or spikes in performance data.

Scatter plot

A scatter plot is a type of series tile that plots scatter duration. It visualizes each execution of a transaction as its own point instead of averaging it into a line. Use it to see how each transaction relates to time and load and to spot outliers that an averaged line hides.

For test results with many transaction executions and points, NeoLoad uses the blue noise sampling technique. The graph keeps outliers and the overall shape but reduces the density. As a result, one point represents more than one execution. Each point carries a weight that shows how many nearby raw points it represents. Hover over a point to see more details.

When you create a scatter plot, keep the following considerations in mind:

  • It's only available for individual transactions.

  • It's a series metric tile, so you can add other series metrics to the same tile.

  • It only includes data from finished tests, not active test runs.

  • It uses raw data, which is only available for seven days after the test run is completed.

Table tiles

Table tiles present performance metrics in a structured, tabular format. Use them to organize data clearly and view key performance metrics.

Follow these steps to configure a table tile:

  1. Add a table tile to your dashboard from the + Add tile button.

  2. In the configuration panel, select your data source and test results.

  3. Choose which metrics and data points to include as table columns.

  4. Define criteria to filter specific data rows based on conditions.

  5. Configure default sorting by specific columns.

  6. Apply number formatting, units, and precision settings.

  7. Preview your table and adjust configuration as needed.

  8. Select Apply to add the configured tile to your dashboard.

While graphs show trends, tables reveal the exact numbers stakeholders need for decision-making and SLA validation. Use table tiles when precise values matter more than visual patterns:

  • Detailed metrics review: Examine exact values for response times, throughput, and error counts.

  • Transaction analysis: Compare performance across different user transactions or API endpoints.

  • SLA validation: Verify that performance metrics meet defined service level agreements.

  • Data export: Provide structured data that stakeholders can easily copy or export.

Text tiles

Text tiles allow you to add explanatory content, analysis notes, and contextual information to your dashboards.

Follow these steps to configure a text tile:

  1. Add a text tile to your dashboard from the + Add tile button.

  2. Use the rich text editor in the configuration panel to create your content.

  3. Adjust tile size and positioning as needed.

  4. Preview your text tile and make final adjustments.

  5. Select Apply to add the configured tile to your dashboard.

Dashboards filled only with charts and tables often fail to communicate insights effectively. This is how you can use text tiles to improve your analysis:

  • Executive summaries: Provide high-level insights and conclusions about test results.

  • Context and explanations: Explain what metrics mean and why they matter to your audience.

  • Analysis notes: Document findings, observations, and recommendations.

  • Dashboard navigation: Guide users through complex dashboards with explanatory text.

Widget tiles

Widget tiles display predefined data sets that focus on specific performance metrics or analysis areas.

Follow these steps to configure a widget tile:

  1. Add a widget tile to your dashboard from the + Add tile button.

  2. In the configuration panel, select which test results to include in the widget.

  3. Choose what metrics you want to include.

  4. Choose the display format for your data.

  5. Configure update frequency for data refresh.

  6. Preview the widget output and verify it meets your needs.

  7. Select Apply to add the configured tile to your dashboard.

Widget tiles are ideal for quickly displaying standard metrics. Use them in scenarios where consistent reporting or fast dashboard setup is needed:

  • Quick insights: Provide immediate access to key performance indicators.

  • Standard reporting: Include commonly requested metrics without custom configuration.

  • Dashboard consistency: Ensure standard metrics appear consistently across different dashboards.

  • Rapid dashboard creation: Build dashboards quickly using predefined data sets.

Tile best practices

Follow these guidelines to create effective dashboard tiles that provide clear insights and optimal performance.

Design principles

Poor tile selection and organization can overwhelm users and hide critical performance insights. These design principles help you create dashboards that tell a clear story and guide users to actionable conclusions:

  • Purpose-driven selection: Choose tile types that best support your analysis objectives.

  • Audience consideration: Match tile complexity and detail level to your audience's needs.

  • Logical organization: Arrange tiles in a flow that tells a story about your performance data.

  • Consistent formatting: Use similar styling and formatting across tiles within the same dashboard.

Content guidelines

Poorly labeled or confusing tiles force users to guess what data means, leading to misinterpretation and wrong decisions. Follow these content guidelines to make your performance data immediately understandable:

  • Clear titles: Give tiles descriptive titles that explain their content and purpose.

  • Appropriate scale: Ensure graphs and tables use appropriate scales and units for easy interpretation.

  • Context provision: Use text tiles to explain complex metrics or provide analysis context.

  • Data relevance: Include only metrics that support your dashboard's objectives.

Performance considerations

Dashboards with slow load times frustrate users and reduce adoption. Complex tiles with too much data can timeout or become unresponsive. These performance guidelines help you create dashboards that load quickly and remain responsive even with large datasets:

  • Tile quantity: Balance comprehensive analysis with dashboard loading performance.

  • Data scope: Limit data ranges and result sets to improve tile responsiveness.

  • Update frequency: Configure appropriate refresh rates based on how often data changes.

  • Resource usage: Monitor performance for dashboards with multiple complex tiles.

What's next?

Now that you understand dashboard tiles, here's what you can do next: