As a project manager, you can’t improve what you can’t see. That’s why real-time visibility into project progress, team performance, and task status is critical. In Wrike, one of the best tools for achieving that visibility is the Dashboard.
Wrike Dashboards let you create custom, visual snapshots of work across projects, teams, and workflows. They’re ideal for tracking KPIs, identifying blockers, and keeping everyone—from your team to the C-suite—informed and aligned.
In this article, we’ll walk through how to create and use Dashboards in Wrike effectively, plus share best practices for turning data into decisions—not just decoration.
What Is a Wrike Dashboard?
A Dashboard in Wrike is a customizable panel made up of widgets—visual modules that display filtered tasks based on criteria you set (e.g., status, due date, assignee, project, folder, or tag).
You can build Dashboards for yourself, your team, or your stakeholders, and each one updates automatically as task data changes.
Why Use Dashboards?
- Monitor project health in real time
- Track task distribution by owner, status, or phase
- Identify overdue or at-risk work quickly
- Centralize status updates for stakeholders
- Simplify meetings with live dashboards instead of slide decks
Whether you’re overseeing one project or an entire portfolio, dashboards help turn complex activity into focused action.
Step-by-Step: Building Your First Dashboard
1. Navigate to Dashboards
- In the left-hand panel, click Dashboards
- Click + Create Dashboard
2. Choose a Name and Visibility
- Give your dashboard a clear, purposeful name:
- “Marketing Campaign Tracker”
- “Project Alpha Status”
- “Team Task Overview”
- Choose who can see the dashboard:
- Private (just you)
- Shared (with a team or specific users)
3. Add Widgets
Widgets are the heart of the dashboard. Each widget pulls in tasks that meet certain criteria.
You can:
- Use a preset widget (e.g., “Tasks Due This Week”)
- Or click + New Widget to build a custom one
Useful Widgets for Project Monitoring
1. Tasks by Status
See the current breakdown across statuses like “In Progress,” “Review,” and “Done.” Filter by project or space.
2. Overdue Tasks
Instantly see what’s behind schedule. Useful for daily standups or weekly reviews.
3. Upcoming Deadlines
Show tasks due today, tomorrow, or this week to maintain momentum.
4. Tasks by Assignee
View each team member’s workload. Spot overloads or imbalances.
5. Blocked or On-Hold Items
Filter by custom statuses like “Blocked” or “Waiting on Client” to stay proactive.
6. Tasks by Priority
Segment tasks by urgency or business value using a custom field.
7. Milestones Only
Track key project markers and make sure you’re on track toward delivery.
Best Practices for Using Dashboards
1. Create Role-Specific Dashboards
- PM Dashboard – Shows open tasks, overdue items, and blockers across all projects
- Team Member Dashboard – Focuses on assigned work and deadlines
- Stakeholder Dashboard – High-level status view with milestones and summaries
Tailor each dashboard to what the viewer actually needs—avoid clutter.
2. Use Consistent Filters and Naming
Stick with clear naming conventions and consistent filters across dashboards. For example, always filter by status, due date, or folder/project.
3. Color-Code Your Widgets
Use widget colors to group related information visually. For instance:
- Red: At risk / overdue
- Blue: Active work
- Green: Completed or on track
This makes dashboards more scannable, especially during meetings.
4. Make It a Part of Your Workflow
Dashboards aren’t just for show. Use them to:
- Open team standups
- Drive weekly check-ins
- Monitor sprint progress
- Prep for stakeholder reviews
Turn dashboards into living documents that drive real conversations.
5. Avoid Widget Overload
Too many widgets = confusion. Keep it simple: 5–8 focused widgets per dashboard is usually enough.
Sample Dashboard: “Project Status – Q3 Launch”
Widget Name | Filter |
---|---|
Tasks Due This Week | Due date = this week, Status ≠ Completed |
Milestones | Task type = milestone, Status ≠ Completed |
Tasks by Owner | Grouped by assignee |
Tasks by Status | All project tasks grouped by workflow |
Blocked Tasks | Status = Blocked |
Completed This Week | Completion date = this week |
This dashboard gives the PM and team a clear, balanced overview—without digging into each project folder.
Final Thoughts
Dashboards in Wrike give project managers a powerful way to monitor progress, highlight problems, and communicate clearly—without building reports manually.
By designing dashboards around real decisions, real meetings, and real workflows, you transform raw task data into smart, proactive management.
Build once, update automatically, and spend less time reporting—and more time delivering.