Visualization

CHALLENGE

I work in a team who prepares financial and profitability reports. We are regularly looking at and  analyzing flat data to prepare reports that can be easily used and appreciated by the units we  cater. As we have the source data and other tools to interpret them, we are constantly swamped  with large number of ad hoc reports which in turn affects our turnaround time in accomplishing  our main deliverables.

Considering that we are currently understaffed, the challenge is how can we properly accomplish  our main workloads and still be able to meet the requested ad hoc without diminishing the  quality of each report.

SELECTION

As I was contemplating on how to address this challenge, I created mental checklists and  diagrams to identify the common concept or data that these requests have. The more I think  about it, it is easier to approach this problem using visualization tool.

Visualization is about using images, not just drawings, but visual thinking. It helps you explore  your data and visualize any given metric using a chart or graph. It drives us further than using  words or language alone to understand a certain concept.

APPLICATION

Coming up with a bit of an idea, I immediately coordinated with our systems development team  and explained the situation and the challenge we are facing. I tried to explain it thoroughly to my  colleague for a better picture and understanding and so I started to enumerate the list, the  structure, the type of report request I always get, and identified the data that each of the ad hoc  have in common.

We took up this information and considered who will be using it and in which way they would  like to see it. Thus, we came up with the concept of a dashboard. A visual display of all data to  provide information at-a-glance. It can also be configured to have the ability to choose what data  you want to see and whether you want charts or graphs for visual representations.

INSIGHT

Once the dashboard was up, I saw a great deal of change over the number of ad hoc requested  from our team since the data they needed were already available and ready for viewing at any

time and with these they could come up with their own interpretation of data. It showed increase  in productivity in both my team and the units we accommodate. I realized that visualization  greatly helped me and my colleague in understanding the steps we needed to take to properly  address problems and situations.

APPROACH

We always consider various things thru visualization. Subconsciously we are always using it in our  daily lives as we always imagine a step-by-step way to achieve something or anything whether it  be for simply deciding in which way I should go to work, what I should cook for dinner, or in work  related matters, how can I facilitate my turn-over of workloads effectively or how can I create or  propose new projects with my team.

For future challenges, I think I will be able to utilize the visualization tool as it will greatly support  me in how I approach handling challenges. Additionally, it will improve my output and insight in  how I view and consider things in different ways.


Visualization CHALLENGE I work in a team who prepares financial and profitability reports . We are regularly looking at and analyzing flat data to prepare reports that can be easily used and appreciated by the units we cater . As we have the source data and other tools to interpret them , we are constantly swamped with large number of ad hoc reports which in turn affects our turnaround time in accomplishing our main deliverables . Considering that we are currently understaffed , the challenge is how can we properly accomplish our main workloads and still be able to meet the requested ad hoc without diminishing the quality of each report . SELECTION As I was contemplating on how to address this challenge , I created mental checklists and diagrams to identify the common concept or data that these requests have . The more I think about it , it is easier to approach this problem using visualization tool . Visualization is about using images , not just drawings , but visual thinking . It helps you explore your data and visualize any given metric using a chart or graph . It drives us further than using words or language alone to understand a certain concept . APPLICATION Coming up with a bit of an idea , I immediately coordinated with our systems development team and explained the situation and the challenge we are facing . I tried to explain it thoroughly to my colleague for a better picture and understanding and so I started to enumerate the list , the structure , the type of report request I always get , and identified the data that each of the ad hoc have in common . We took up this information and considered who will be using it and in which way they would like to see it . Thus , we came up with the concept of a dashboard . A visual display of all data to provide information at - a - glance . It can also be configured to have the ability to choose what data you want to see and whether you want charts or graphs for visual representations . INSIGHT Once the dashboard was up , I saw a great deal of change over the number of ad hoc requested from our team since the data they needed were already available and ready for viewing at any time and with these they could come up with their own interpretation of data . It showed increase in productivity in both my team and the units we accommodate . I realized that visualization greatly helped me and my colleague in understanding the steps we needed to take to properly address problems and situations . APPROACH We always consider various things thru visualization . Subconsciously we are always using it in our daily lives as we always imagine a step - by - step way to achieve something or anything whether it be for simply deciding in which way I should go to work , what I should cook for dinner , or in work related matters , how can I facilitate my turn - over of workloads effectively or how can I create or propose new projects with my team . For future challenges , I think I will be able to utilize the visualization tool as it will greatly support me in how I approach handling challenges . Additionally , it will improve my output and insight in how I view and consider things in different ways .