Streamlit Dashboard Development Best Practices Checklist

Here’s a comprehensive checklist to help you evaluate your Streamlit data analytics/BI dashboard:

Structure & Organization

  • [ ] Code is modular with clear separation of concerns (data loading, processing, visualization)
  • [ ] Configuration variables are centralized (not hardcoded throughout the app)
  • [ ] Meaningful directory structure (e.g., pages, components, utils)
  • [ ] Consistent naming conventions for files, functions, and variables
  • [ ] Logical flow from data ingestion to visualization

Performance

  • [ ] Caching used for expensive operations (@st.cache_data, @st.cache_resource)
  • [ ] Large data processing done outside the main UI rendering loop
  • [ ] Pagination implemented for large datasets
  • [ ] Optimized data types and structures
  • [ ] Appropriate use of asynchronous operations for data fetching

User Experience

  • [ ] Clear navigation system for multi-page applications
  • [ ] Consistent layout and design language
  • [ ] Responsive to different screen sizes
  • [ ] Informative loading states and error messages
  • [ ] Tooltips and help text for complex features
  • [ ] Intuitive filters and interactive elements

Visualizations

  • [ ] Appropriate chart types for the data being visualized
  • [ ] Consistent color schemes and styling
  • [ ] Clear titles, axis labels, and legends
  • [ ] Interactive elements (hover details, click actions)
  • [ ] Visualizations scale with different data sizes

Data Handling

  • [ ] Input validation and error handling
  • [ ] Proper handling of missing or malformed data
  • [ ] Date/time handling appropriate for the domain
  • [ ] Aggregation methods appropriate for business questions
  • [ ] Data transformations documented and explained

Security & Privacy

  • [ ] Sensitive data properly protected
  • [ ] Authentication mechanism if required
  • [ ] Data filtering based on user permissions
  • [ ] Safe handling of user inputs (no injection vulnerabilities)
  • [ ] Secure storage of credentials and API keys

Documentation

  • [ ] Code comments explaining complex logic
  • [ ] README with setup instructions and dependencies
  • [ ] In-app documentation for users
  • [ ] Data dictionary for metrics and dimensions
  • [ ] Change log for tracking updates

Testing

  • [ ] Unit tests for core data processing functions
  • [ ] Integration tests for key workflows
  • [ ] Edge cases tested (empty datasets, unexpected inputs)
  • [ ] Performance testing with realistic data volumes
  • [ ] Cross-browser/device testing

Would you like me to expand on any particular section of this checklist?