Visualization

Challenge:Visual analytics focuses on human interaction with visualization systems as part of a larger process of data analysis. Visual analytics has been defined as "the science of analytical  reasoning supported by the interactive visual interface".Its focus is on human information  discourse (interaction) within massive, dynamically changing information spaces. Visual  analytics research concentrates on support for perceptual and cognitive operations that enable  users to detect the expected and discover the unexpected in complex information  spaces.Technologies resulting from visual analytics find their application in almost all fields, but  are being driven by critical needs (and funding) in biology and national security.

Selection:In life and work, success begins with a goal. It could be losing weight, asking for a  raise, quitting smoking or starting your own business. Big or small, goals give us purpose and,  like a compass, keep us headed in the right direction. Of course, it then takes lots of hard work  and determination to reach your destination.Writing over 2,000 years ago, Aristotle described  the process this way: "First, have a definite, clear, practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second,  have the necessary means to achieve your ends: wisdom, money, materials, and methods.  Third, adjust all your means to that end."Unfortunately, many of us remain stuck at the goal  stage. We start out with good intentions and perhaps a plan, but then we can't seem to make it  happen.

Application:It’s hard to think of a professional industry that doesn’t benefit from making data  more understandable. Every STEM field benefits from understanding data—and so do fields in  government, finance, marketing, history, consumer goods, service industries, education, sports,  and so on.While we’ll always wax poetically about data visualization (you’re on the Tableau  website, after all) there are practical, real-life applications that are undeniable. And, since  visualization is so prolific, it’s also one of the most useful professional skills to develop. The  better you can convey your points visually, whether in a dashboard or a slide deck, the better  you can leverage that information.The concept of the citizen data scientist is on the rise. Skill  sets are changing to accommodate a data-driven world. It is increasingly valuable for  professionals to be able to use data to make decisions and use visuals to tell stories of when  data informs the who, what, when, where, and how. While traditional education typically draws  a distinct line between creative storytelling and technical analysis, the modern professional  world also values those who can cross between the two: data visualization sits right in the  middle of analysis and visual storytelling.

Insight     and Approach    :Well, wow, that was an eye-opener. Her mother was a calm presence

and doing very well. Clearly it was time for me to open up with my story. I told her how scary it

was when my father had his brain aneurysm in front of me and how I had to get him to the  hospital and how difficult and scary that all was. I shared how he recovered well, and then tied  us together, by noting how she and I both have parents who survived brain aneurysms. This  worked really well. She really needed individual attention for that brief time, and she ended up  with that and a true support. She calmed down, her mother, who had become worried about  her, calmed down, and everyone around them calmed down. Peace reignedagain in our little  shelter.So I told this story to the agency, and I think it had a big impact on people there. The  policies are being reevaluated and the caseworkers are going through new training. Sometimes  visualisation can do a lot of good.This course made me see this as a tool in a new way. When I've done it before it was really "ad hoc," but now I can visualise that will assist me in presenting my  ideas and best illuminate them.I have a design background, but I ended up as an entrepreneur  in business. I had no idea this would ever be considered an asset, but I am so very grateful that  it is!

