A Step-by-step Tutorial For Beginners On Using Redmine Custom Dashboard

By Author: Emily Jones
Total Articles: 27
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One of its most valuable features is the Custom Dashboard, which provides a centralized view of your project activities, key performance indicators, and team workload. For beginners, setting up a custom dashboard may seem a little overwhelming, but this step-by-step guide will help you create an efficient and user-friendly workspace. 
Step 1: Understand the Importance of a Custom Dashboard 
Before diving into setup, it’s essential to understand why a custom dashboard is beneficial. It allows you to: 

View tasks, deadlines, and progress at a glance. 

Monitor project health in real time. 

Customize the layout to fit individual or team needs. 

Boost productivity by eliminating the need to navigate multiple pages. 

Step 2: Install the Custom Dashboard Plugin 
Redmine’s native dashboard is basic, so to create advanced, visually appealing dashboards, you should install a Custom dashboard Redmine Plugin ...
... like the one provided by Redmine. 

Download the plugin from a trusted source. 

Place the plugin folder in the plugins directory of your Redmine installation. 

Run the database migration 

Restart your Redmine application to activate the plugin. 

Step 3: Access the Dashboard 
Once the plugin is installed, navigate to your Redmine project and locate the Dashboard tab. This will now show an editable, customizable workspace. 
Step 4: Add Widgets 
Widgets are the building blocks of your custom dashboard. You can add widgets for: 

Open Issues 

Project Deadlines 

Workload Distribution 

Time Tracking 

Sprint Progress 

Custom Charts and Graphs 
To add a widget, click on the Add Widget or Customize button, then select from the available options based on your reporting needs. 

Step 5: Customize Layout 
Drag and drop widgets to arrange them in a layout that suits your workflow. You can resize widgets to prioritize important data or remove unnecessary items for a cleaner view. The flexibility of the dashboard ensures it can be tailored to each user or department. 
Step 6: Set Filters and Data Sources 
Most widgets allow you to filter data by project, user, status, or priority. Configure these settings to display the most relevant information for your team. Real-time updates ensure that your dashboard always shows the latest project status. 
Step 7: Save and Share 
After arranging your dashboard, save your configuration. You can set visibility based on user roles, allowing team members, managers, or clients to access specific dashboards tailored to their needs. 
Step 8: Monitor and Adjust 
Your dashboard isn’t static. As your project evolves, you can adjust widgets, add new ones, or modify layouts to better reflect changing priorities. Regularly updating your dashboard ensures it remains a valuable project management tool. 
Final Thoughts 
The Redmine Custom Dashboard is an excellent feature of cloud project management tools for improving project visibility, streamlining task management, and enhancing team productivity. By following this step-by-step tutorial, beginners can easily set up a dashboard that’s fully aligned with their project goals. Whether you’re tracking deadlines, monitoring workloads, or visualizing progress, a custom dashboard can transform the way you manage projects in Redmine. Start building yours today and experience the difference a personalized workspace can make!