Data Visualization and Learning
Data visualizations entail typical visual and graphical presentations of abstract information. Some examples of data visualizations include charts, timelines or timetables, dials, graphs, heat maps and geospatial maps, among several others (372). Naturally, data visualizations are designed to harness the power of analytics by utilizing visual displays to capitalize on brain functionality. Here, visualizations tend to simplify the processes of data interpretation and analysis by drawing viewers’ attention to critical areas and displaying basic patterns for different metrics (372). Notably, data visualizations have high “interactivity and drill-down capabilities,” which make it easy for viewers to track performances from various points and in different directions. Most importantly, they can be efficiently designed and adjusted to reflect the learning needs of the audience (372).
Enterprise Data Mashup
An enterprise data mashup entails an amalgamation of heterogeneous data (often digital) and applications from various sources to be used for business decision-making purposes (377). A typical mashup combines both internal data and applications with multiple outsourced data, such as SaaS and Web content. Often, the blending of data is conducted in real-time without the ETL (extract, transform, and load) data warehouse process involvement (378). Notable features that distinguish enterprise mashup include data governance, business intelligence (BI), integration with computing environment, business analytics, stringent security procedures and sophisticated programming tools (378). By leveraging the use of BI tools, enterprise mashups enable nontechnical users to easily filter down massive volumes of data to retrieve ‘useful’ information. The main advantage of enterprise mashups is that they serve to enhance operational efficiency, augment the sales pipeline, promote profitability and facilitate customer satisfaction (379). They support agile BI, which helps to dramatically increase productivity and convenience by facilitating continuous addition, querying, customization and amalgamation of data and sharing of knowledge. Common types of enterprise data mashups include:
i. Customer data mashup captures customer data, such as recent customer orders, contact information and crucial characteristics, to be used by sales personnel.
ii. Logistic data mashups use specific criteria to capture inventory information for selected department stores.
iii. Human resource data mashups provide management with a quick perspective into employee-related attributes, such as profiles, benefits status, ratings, performance, and salary (379-380).
Business Dashboards and their Functions
Business dashboards are digital reporting tools that summarize the value extracted from business performance data using easy-to-understand, real-time data visuals, also referred to as key performance indicators (KPIs) (380). A business dashboard is designed to transform business data into manageable visual information in real-time, to facilitate easy identification of underperforming sections for informed decision-making and early intervention. Generally, business dashboards are intended to eliminate time wastage and the complexity of logging into multiple databases and applications to review the performance of different metrics (380). Significant components of business dashboards include:
i. Design includes the visualization techniques, such as infographics, and descriptive captions used to convey important information.
ii. Performance metrics and accompanying real-time information emphasizing the value of each metric
iii. Application programming interfaces (API), which include automated agile connections to disparate data sources that feed the dashboard display in real-time.
iv. Access, which is often through secure Web browsers on computers and mobile devices (380).
The primary function of business dashboards is to facilitate a clear perspective of the current state of a business’ KPIs and up-to-date real-time alerts. For instance, it is intended to update viewers concerning the firm’s current financial and revenue performance by displaying the latest monetary and sales statistics (381).
Benefits of Dashboards
Data access and visibility: a well-designed dashboard will ensure easy access to the most crucial metrics. It will also ensure that threats and opportunities are identified quickly by eliminating blind spots.
Continuous improvement through better decision-making: executive dashboards are designed to keep leaders informed about critical metrics and measures, which offers a solid foundation for enhanced decision-making and further dialogue.
Accountability: dashboards are designed to display accurate performance information for all metrics. Thus, they tend to hold those responsible for particular functions accountable for the failures or successes of those functions.
Single sign-on and interactivity: dashboards provide dynamic experiences, which enable managers from different departments to log into different systems to run reports, filter data, and review changes over time.
Deviations from targets: dashboard metrics are designed to facilitate easy identification of variations from preset targets (383).
Works Cited
Turban, Efraim, Pollard, Carol, and Wood, Gregory. Information Technology for Management: Digital Strategies for Insight, Action, and Sustainable Performance 10th ed. New Jersey, NJ: Wiley, 2015.