23/08/2016Alan Maxwell

Senior Business Analyst, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

This session◦ Provide details on the source of info for a number of

visualisation techniques◦ Discuss a few examples◦ Do you have a BA Toolbox?◦ My toolbox’s Excel visualisation tools◦ What is in YOUR BA Toolbox?

Not covering:◦ No deep detail on how to use the techniques◦ Not covering source data requirements◦ Not covering User Interface Design◦ Not discussing other toolbox items

E.g. Templates, copies of useful articles etc

IIBA BABOKv2

◦ s9 lists 34 x general techniques

+ 15 x specific ones in other sections

◦ There are 21 of 49 that use Visualisation techniques

UML

◦ Class, Activity…

Visualisation

Techniques

Business

Analysis

Models

UML Diagrams

Analysis & Modelling

◦ Pictures can be worth a thousand words

◦ Can highlight patterns and simplify material and concepts

◦ A diagram’s modelling conventions/rules can highlight issues directly

◦ It is an additional method of communication you have access to

Assists with Communication

◦ Text only

Understanding is a very linear process

Formatting and layout can highlight info but there are limits

Overall process is slow as must read to understand

Provides all detail required but sometimes over many MANY pages

◦ Pictures supplement and can provide unique insight into info

In practice

◦ Users will have different backgrounds, experience, training + preferences re use of Pictures v Text

◦ Where providing pictures - should also have supporting text (& even a variety of different pictures)

◦ Communication involves feedback and iterations (need for alternate diagrams can be reactive)

◦ Different forms of communication apply at different times

Periodic Table of Visualisation Techniques◦ From www.visual-literacy.org (Prof. Dr Martin Eppler)

◦ Under the ‘Books & Maps’ tab of their web site

Links to Wikipedia + Google Images

Characteristics◦ Developed by

Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869 (before all elements discovered)

◦ Pure elements, not compounds

Highlights◦ Clustering of like

elements◦ Includes several

classifications Background

colour

Text colour

Sequence number

Row + column position

◦ A complete and predictive framework that highlighted properties of missing elements

Characteristics◦ Clustering of like

elements◦ Includes several

classifications◦ Helps to find a

relevant technique versus simple alphabetical list

Caveats◦ Not a complete

and predictive framework Many more

techniques not listed

Doesn’t predict missing techniques

◦ Doesn’t show relationships between diagrams

Hover over item to see single example

Characteristics◦ Alphabetical text

based list

Highlights◦ Links to:

Google image library with multiple examples

Wikipedia article explaining technique

◦ Can expand and show all diagrams for printing purposes

◦ Missing is classifications from diagram

affinity diagram • area chart • argument slide • bar chart • bcg matrix • bridge • cartesian coordinates • cartoon • cause effect chains • clustering • cognitive mapping • communication diagram • concentric circles • concept fan • concept map • concept skeleton • cone-tree diagram • continuum • critical path method • cycle diagram • data flow diagram • data map • decision discovery diagram • decision tree • dilemma diagram • edgeworth box • entity relationship diagram • evocative knowledge map • failure tree • feedback diagram • flight plan • flow chart • force field diagram • funnel • gantt chart • graphic facilitation • heaven n hell chart • histogram • house of quality • hype cycle • hyperbolic tree • ibis argumentation map • iceberg diagram • infomural• information lens • ishikawa diagram • knowledge map • layer chart • learning map • life cycle diagram • line chart • magic quadrant • meeting trace • metro map • mindmap • minto pyramid technique • mintzbergs organigraph • organisation chart • parallel coordinates • parameter ruler • performance charting • perspectives diagram • pert chart • petri net • pie chart • porters five forces • portfolio diagram • process event chains • radar chart • cobweb • rich picture • s-cycle • sankey diagram • scatterplot • semantic network • soft system modeling • spectrogram • spray diagram • square of oppositions • stakeholder map • stakeholder rating map • story template • strategic game board • strategy canvas • strategy map • supply demand curve • swim lane diagram • synergy map • system dynamics • table • taps • technology roadmap • temple • timeline • toulmin map • tree • treemap • tukey box plot • value chain • veediagram • venn diagram • euler diagram • zwickys morphological box

But there are also lots more….

1. Clustering2. Data Flow Diagram **3. Entity Relationship Diagram **4. Ishikawa/Root Cause Diagram5. Life Cycle Diagram6. Mindmap7. Organisation Chart8. Rich Picture9. Sankey Diagram10. Scatter Plot11. Swimlane Diagram **12. Value Chain13. Vee Diagram14. Venn Diagram

** BABOK Diagrams where modeling conventions/rules help highlight issues directly

Characteristics◦ A grouping of a

number of similar things

◦ Can handle a small or large numbers of things

◦ Density of cluster is meaningful

◦ Use colour to highlight category or status

◦ Drill down to further detail

Examples◦ Grouping of a

population based on ethnicity, economics or religion

◦ Web site link + status analysis (business case / scoping + hacking evidence)

Quest’s ‘Funnel Web Profiler v2’ Web Maps

Elements◦ Data Stores

◦ Processes

◦ Data Flow Arrows

Highlights◦ Context view +

Lower levels

◦ Balance inputs to outputs

◦ Use DFD model conventions to highlight issues

Inputs with no Outputs

Outputs with no Inputs

Missing processes or data stores

Characteristics◦ Use for Physical

and/or Logical Models

◦ Supported by Data Dictionary

◦ Number of tables can be small, large or very large

◦ Static v Dynamic models

Elements◦ Tables◦ Relationships◦ Cardinalities◦ Optional

Fields + Type etc

Primary Key

Foreign Key(s)

Example◦ Physical model (too

cryptic)◦ Telco ~1800 tables

Characteristics

◦ Fishbone diagram backtracks from issue to identify Root Causes

◦ Trace back to the root causes that when fixed resolve the issue

Life Cycle

◦ Create, Read, Update, Delete/Expire

Applies to all kinds of things:

◦ Data for Products + Customers + Suppliers

◦ Processes like Production + Sales cycles

◦ Systems

◦ Seasons + Ages (Cycle of ‘Life’)

Life cycles are often related

◦ Customer + Sales + Payments

◦ Student + Annual Enrolment + Individual Course Completion

Highlight

◦ Often Parent-Child hierarchy between different levels

◦ Can be business equivalent to database CRUD

Characteristics

◦ Organise ideas

◦ Uses clustering and hierarchy

Characteristics

◦ Often simple Line Management Hierarchy

◦ Gives position of stakeholders in the organisation & their level of influence

Highlights

◦ Many different formats

◦ Often published on corporate Intranet

Characteristics

◦ Pre-analysis picture of all details elicited from initial discussions

◦ Not text based

◦ Often from Whiteboard session

Characteristics

◦ It is a Flow Diagram

◦ Trace Inputs & outputs

◦ Multiple input sources

◦ Multiple output destinations

◦ Width of lines is proportional to flow quantity

◦ Balances Inputs + Outputs E.g. Highlights losses

◦ Extend with bubble showing inventory/delays at intermediate nodes

Examples

◦ Steam Engine Thermal Efficiency

◦ National Energy Flow

◦ Troop movements

◦ Mobile network Revenue Assurance Call Record Recn

◦ Use Sankey ‘high volume’ principle to highlight main flow in process or use case diagrams

Characteristics◦ Plotting 2D

position of X + Y values

◦ Can handle very large numbers of data values

Highlights◦ Can quickly

see patterns in data

◦ Can apply mathematical trends, curves etc

Elements

◦ Trigger event

◦ Processes

◦ Roles

◦ Decisions

◦ Flow

Highlights

◦ Standard Flow

◦ Sequence

◦ Exception Flows

◦ Decision Points

◦ Issues

Double handling

Too many touch points

Start Point?

Main Flow?

In Stock?

Elements

◦ Triggers

◦ Processes

◦ Functions

◦ Sequence

◦ Data Flow

◦ Data Stores *

Highlights

◦ Establish & Agree Ownership

◦ As context for lower levels

Example◦ eTOM Telco

framework (Billing Component)

Elements◦ Support

Activities

◦ Primary Activities

Examples◦ Enterprise level

process mapping

Characteristics◦ Not just a

simple sequence, but matching items at beginning and end of sequence

Examples◦ Match

Development + Testing

◦ Match Production + Consumption

Characteristics◦ Shows what overlapping

combinations exist

◦ Items in each segment can be descriptions or statistical / frequency info

◦ Some are errors indicate data cleansing requirements + process issues

◦ Helpful to include statistics

◦ Max of 4 sets

Examples◦ Reconcile users in 4

systems:

◦ Reconcile data in 3 systems

Descriptions and examples of various Visualisation Techniques

Diagramming Tools◦ Manual / hand drawn◦ Visio (with custom stencil)◦ Other (BA/IE diagramming tools etc)

Excel Data Analysis◦ Standard Excel functionality for data

visualisation & analysis – Examples include Charts + Pivot Tables etc Done as required so need to experiment beforehand

◦ My predefined ‘Visual’ utility spreadsheets

Other items◦ E.g. Articles, URLS, Templates, Document

examples etc

Category Details

Analysis Business Intelligence based Churn-Movement Analysis | Convert Number Range to Wildcards | File Size Worksheet | Financial: Price + Quantity + Mix Variance Analysis | Interest Amortisation | Visualise Overlapping Timelines | Quiz Night Spreadsheet | Reconciliation Master | Single Number Analysis

Info ASCII Codes | BABOK Technique Glossary | Bulk Data ‘Array Formula’ v ‘Pivot Table’ examples | MS Word & Excel 2003-2007 Menu Mappings | NZ Post Box_Bag_Ranges_090807 | Visio Circle Connection Point Coordinate Locations

Personal Expense Reconciliation | Interactive Lifestyle Questionnaires | Salary Reconciliation

Visualisation Autohighlight Text | Calendar | Evaluate Solutions | Multi Segment Line Function | Scatter Plot Trend Line

Characteristics◦ Uses Conditional formulas

to highlight cells containing search text

◦ Show level of match Green = exact

Yellow = partial

White = none

◦ Automatic count of matches by row and column

◦ Works with Excel wildcard characters * and ?

◦ Use with Excel Data Filters (incl Filter by colour)

Examples◦ Data Dictionary (SQL table

+ column extract)◦ Manage reconciliation of

RFP & Responses◦ Analyse data dump◦ BABOK Glossary

Characteristics

◦ Standard layout of days for month by week in 3 by 4 month grid

◦ Enter single value for year

Highlights

◦ Recalculates all days for specified year + previous + following year

◦ Dynamically highlights dates from supporting event list and colour codes by event type

Characteristics◦ Simultaneously assess

fit of: Function + Schedule + Cost

◦ Scalable assessment from dozens to thousands of requirements

◦ Excel version evaluates 3 solutions to 1 set of priorities

◦ Automatically estimates and justifies Cost

Highlights◦ [1] Show overall

relationship between Function v Cost+Budget

◦ [2] Gaps in function + schedule + cost in Red

◦ [3] Drill down to impacted requirements supports summary

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

A - General (0)B - Content Management (38)

C - Search (19)D - Security (12)E - Workflow (2)

F - Create Content (26)G - Access Content (18)

H - Collaboration (15)I - Reporting (5)J - Archiving (3)

T - Technical (17)X - Non Functional (3)

Z - SOLUTION TOTAL (158)

Funct: Met Funct: Marginal Funct: Deficient

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

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Delivered Scheduled On Time Scheduled Overdue

Soln 1

Soln 2

Soln 3

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$600,000

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Level of Functionality Met

Evaluation of Functionality v Estimated Cost

Max Budget Cost Funct % by Soln's estimated 3 years costs

[1]

[2]

[3]

Characteristics◦ Documents relationship

between inputs and outputs◦ Line segments don’t need to be

continuous, can be stepped◦ Uses simple Excel Vlookup

table to define: X axis Trigger value of change

Y axis Starting value at X

Incremental Y rate per X(Y rate can be negative)

Highlights◦ View Profile for reasonableness◦ Visually confirm impact of any

unlimited incremental rate for last X Trigger value

◦ Graph scale auto configurable

Examples◦ Set Volume Price Tiers◦ IRD Tax Amounts◦ Performance v Reward levels

(60 separate data sets/charts)

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Characteristics

◦ Plots a number of X + Y coordinates

◦ Calculates & displays trend line

◦ Graph scale configurable

There are many available Visualisation Techniques

Try them out and save info on the good ones in your actual toolbox

URLs◦ www.visual-literacy.org

◦ http://www.cems.uwe.ac.uk/xmldb/rest/db/Visualization/showAll.xql