Data Visualization

We have seen that the graph type that is the most useful cannot be completely derived from the characteristics of the data. The message of the graphical presentation should first be identified in order to make sure that the graph matches the goal of the user. As discovered earlier the goal of the user depends on the phase in the decision process and the state of the data. Furthermore, each graphical technique is linked to the effectiveness of the perception of an observer (Mackinlay, 1986).

The basic cycle of the management process

The management process is performed within a generic cycle of five steps (Mintzberg, 1975):

1. Planning, budgeting and setting norms;
2. Organizing;
3. Coordinating;
4. Deciding;
5. Controlling.

What managers actually do

These steps tell us little about what managers are actually doing and how they are doing it. Without such concrete information, we are not able to design and build planning or information systems that are dedicated to managers (Mintzberg, 1975); neither are we able to define a knowledge-based system that assists in building the interface of such systems. Although this cycle is very unspecific it deserves clarification and discussion related to the user interface of business intelligence systems.