The power of visualizing data is not really in the data, the modeling, or even necessarily the visuals themselves.  The power comes from the impact they have on the audience – the mind.  And this is why it’s crucial that the data modeling lets the data tell the story.  It is here that a BI platform reveals itself and why modeling paired with good visuals are such a crucial piece to BI.  With that in mind, we are going to discuss three ways visuals have a big impact.

One obvious reason for visualizing business data is that it makes it easy to spot patterns and trends.  Compared to looking at raw data or even organized data in spreadsheets, trends and patterns almost illuminate themselves when data is properly modeled and displayed.  Being able to see modeled data shown over time or distance is an easy way to get a jump start into the story the data is trying to tell.

Another powerful effect of visualizing data comes from our ability as humans to understand and consume even very complex information quickly.  When data is organized, modeled, and displayed properly, the human mind is so very adept at quickly reading and retaining the images and information.  This is especially true compared to raw data.  Well-designed visuals allow our audience to process and digest quite unfathomable amounts of information in a single moment.  As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Finally, one of the most important benefits of visuals are their ability to reveal hidden insights.  There are always hidden insights waiting to be shown the light of day.  They only need a conduit. And when the unknown is known, change is likely to follow.  In fact, once they’re released they almost always have substantial impacts on the business landscape and bottom line.  And this is the whole point of BI – maximizing results by optimizing each and every defining business process.

We are experts at uncovering hidden insights and at assisting companies in navigating the sometimes-confusing journey of business intelligence. Contact us today to get started on your BI journey.