A dashboard's layout — which blocks appear, in what positions — can be shared across users or customised by each individual. Choosing the right model keeps everyone on the same page (literally) or empowers each user to optimise their workspace.
Shared Layout
- Single layout for everyone with access.
- Changes apply to all users immediately.
- Best for team-wide reference views — a status board, an exec dashboard.
- Editing requires permission.
Per-User Layout
- Each user starts with the default layout, then can customise:
- Move blocks around.
- Resize blocks.
- Hide blocks they don't need.
- Add additional blocks from the library.
- Best for personal workspaces — “My Day”, “My Pipeline”.
- Editing rights are implicit — every user can customise their own.
Hybrid Model
Some dashboards are shared in spirit but allow per-user tweaks within limits — e.g. order is fixed but users can collapse blocks they don't currently care about.
Worked Examples
- Operations status board: Shared — everyone needs the same KPIs and alerts in the same place.
- Sales rep workspace: Per-user — each rep wants their own pipeline up top.
- Executive dashboard: Shared — board members see the same view in the boardroom.
- Customer-facing portal dashboard: Per-user — every customer customises which widgets they want.
- Support agent home: Hybrid — fixed “SLA” and “Queue” blocks at the top, customisable blocks below.
Note: Switching a per-user dashboard to shared resets everyone to the default layout. Communicate beforehand.