DATA VISUALIZATION TIPS
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This is especially true in the business world, in the pursuit of performance and governance.
When used correctly, visualizing data in the form of graphs helps to extract meaning, i.e., essential information effectively.
Companies look for new tools to help them make decisions and optimize their operations. This is exactly for them.
Companies have been using charts for years. However, simply adding data to them is not enough to get useful insights.
Companies today allow users to detect and analyze outliers, patterns, trends.
They are even starting to use more detailed and interactive charts that allow them to reveal correlations within complex data. However, to take full advantage of the features of a customized data visualization platform, the 5 rules must be followed.
Set a goal
The real mistake is to think too big. Too much information is often included in the charts and the visualizations are overloaded. A good visualization offers a limited set of measures, with a maximum of 7 to 9 that users can understand at a glance.
Similarly, it is preferable not to represent more than 9 key indicators in the dashboard. Too much will confuse users.
Visualization should be kept simple. The less interpretation it requires, the easier it will be to understand. If your visualization is complex, try another format. The clearest format is usually the best.
Choose a chart type that fits the data
Ensure that the format of the information meets the user’s needs and its use. We are all familiar with curves, area and sector diagrams. However, not all visualizations are suitable for all situations.
Pie charts are commonly used to represent information. However, they are controversial in the visualization world. Because it is very difficult to compare one cake with another when they are often used for this purpose. It is necessary to use them wisely to show only a limited dataset.
Learn about the wide variety of visual tools at your disposal and carefully select them based on the desired outcome.
Use colors and visual perceptions
Colors can enhance and sharpen a graphic. However, if used incorrectly, they will confuse the readers and make the information unreadable.
However, it is necessary to highlight positive or negative values. Or you can use colors to show how data changes between different variables over time. However, keep in mind that analysis takes precedence over color selection.
Many companies adopt the colors of their chart charters, although this is not always appropriate. Colors should be chosen based on the messages and information they are intended to convey, not recommendations from the marketing department.
Note that some users are colorblind. So don’t rely solely on color to convey an idea. Use appropriate shapes or colors that the vast majority of users can see.
Choose datasets carefully
The quality of visualizations depends on the quality of the data they represent. Sometimes visualizations show unexpected results that teams don’t understand
Visualization tools should be used to catch these problems early. So, they can be fixed before they affect the whole project. This requires the user to be able to distinguish between an unexpected discovery and a data problem.
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Experiment
Allow users to interact with visualizations, for example, in services that use geospatial data.
Visualizing data can truly revolutionize the way your business uses its data. However, it should be used as efficiently as possible.
If a good image is better than a long speech, this is only true if the image in question helps to understand a situation and act accordingly.
