Feeling challenged by the volume of data that needs to be processed, analyzed, and converted into actionable items? Most of us do at some point in our careers. At times, managing the data stream in the DSP space feels like drinking water from a fire hydrant.
That's where the illumin dashboard can help.
Busy decision-makers appreciate the dashboard's scannability: easy-to-read metrics that provide top-level performance data at a glance. Need to drill down? Use the handy menus to filter data based on agencies, advertisers, or journeys, or re-configure the time frame with the date range picker.
If you do enable a filter or set a custom time frame, illumin auto-saves your most recent dashboard configuration. Let's say, for instance, you enable a filter to display data for a specific journey. Every time you visit the dashboard, the widgets show data for that journey, so there's no need to reset preferences.
The dashboard has four main sections. Let's take a look.
Take a tour
Click the gif to get the highlights in one short, awesome tour.
Key performance indicators
This section displays eight KPIs, each in a separate widget. Every widget has four features:
- A line graph displays data for the selected time period and comparative data for a previous period. The previous period depends on the active time frame. For instance, if you set the time frame to Last 30 days, the modal displays data for the most recent 30-day period and data for 30 days prior. Note that the comparative periods are displayed under the Key performance indicators headline. Also note that hovering the line graph with your mouse displays even more granular information at the daily level with a comparative data point.
- The blue line shows data for the current time frame. The grey line shows comparative period data.
- Drag and drop widgets to a preferred location. Customize the layout to suit your priorities.
- Click the i icon to get a summary analysis of the widget data and explanatory notes, if available.
Optionally, use the toggles in the top right corner of the KPI section to view different combinations of channel data. For instance, you could display Open Web and Meta figures while hiding DOOH.
Track spend
Two charts track spending: Spend by channel and Spend by creatives. Hover a chart segment to display segment details.
Journeys at risk
Risk refers to performance or pacing issues.
- Performance risk is about achieving a campaign goal (e.g. hit a $5 CPA target). If you see the label At risk, the campaign (as it is currently configured) may not achieve its goal without human intervention. Click the journey to open the canvas and make adjustments.
- Pacing risks are irregularities in the actual spend rate compared to the expected rate of spend needed to exhaust a budget by the end of the flight range. There are three pacing labels: Over pace (spending more than expected), Under pace (spending less than expected), and On pace (the spend rate is just right). Typically, overpacing journeys make auto-corrections and don't need your intervention. Underpacing and at-risk campaigns should be reviewed. The Impression Filter is a great first stop because it can help pinpoint possible causes of pacing issues.
The table displays summaries of journeys with one or more issues. Journeys with the On Pace label are not displayed in the table. Each row summarizes data for all paths or steps associated with the journey. Optionally, click a name to open the canvas.
If you prefer a bespoke table layout, make changes. Hover a column label to unhide an icon and then drag the icon to create a new display order. If you click the Column button, configure the menu options to add or remove table columns.
If you click the Details button for a row, a new table displays a deeper range of information. Optionally, click the View Canvas button to get direct access to associated paths.
Performance by channel
This table summarizes key channel metrics for the selected time frame. Optionally, hover a label and drag the icon to change the display order of column data. Click the arrow to change the sort order of the rows. To download a CSV file of table data, click the Export button.
Exporting data
You can download data for Journeys at risk and Performance by channel. Click the Export button to activate a download. After the data processing completes, click the bell icon in the top-right corner of the page to download the file. Note that the Journeys at Risk file contains all column data and not just the columns that are visible in the table.