SQL Performance Monitoring Dashboard

Context

A good backend is not only about clean controllers. As data grows, slow queries directly affect user experience. This case study focuses on monitoring and improving SQL performance for an API.

Approach

I start by measuring endpoint response times, then inspect the SQL generated by EF Core. Queries with overly broad Include usage or filters that do not benefit from indexes are rewritten into more specific projections.

Technical points

• Log slow queries by endpoint.
• Inspect execution plans before adding indexes.
• Avoid returning too much data with pagination and projection.
• Compare response time before and after optimization.

Result

The dashboard makes performance issues visible instead of relying on guesses. This is an important .NET backend habit: measure first, optimize with evidence, then turn the learning into a guideline.