1. 23/08/2016
Alan Maxwell
Senior Business Analyst, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

2.  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

3.  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

4.  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

5.  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

6.  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

7.  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

8.  Hover over
item to see
single
example

9.  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

10.  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 • vee
diagram • venn diagram • euler diagram • zwickys morphological box
But there are also lots more….

11. 1. Clustering
2. Data Flow Diagram **
3. Entity Relationship Diagram **
4. Ishikawa/Root Cause Diagram
5. Life Cycle Diagram
6. Mindmap
7. Organisation Chart
8. Rich Picture
9. Sankey Diagram
10. Scatter Plot
11. Swimlane Diagram **
12. Value Chain
13. Vee Diagram
14. Venn Diagram
** BABOK Diagrams where modeling conventions/rules help highlight issues directly

12.  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

13.  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

14.  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

15.  Characteristics
◦ Fishbone
diagram
backtracks
from issue to
identify Root
Causes
◦ Trace back to
the root
causes that
when fixed
resolve the
issue

16.  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

17.  Characteristics
◦ Organise ideas
◦ Uses clustering
and hierarchy

18.  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

19.  Characteristics
◦ Pre-analysis
picture of all
details elicited
from initial
discussions
◦ Not text based
◦ Often from
Whiteboard
session

20.  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

21.  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

22.  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?

23.  Elements
◦ Triggers
◦ Processes
◦ Functions
◦ Sequence
◦ Data Flow
◦ Data Stores *
 Highlights
◦ Establish &
Agree
Ownership
◦ As context for
lower levels
 Example
◦ eTOM Telco
framework
(Billing
Component)

24.  Elements
◦ Support
Activities
◦ Primary Activities
 Examples
◦ Enterprise level
process mapping

25.  Characteristics
◦ Not just a
simple
sequence, but
matching items
at beginning
and end of
sequence
 Examples
◦ Match
Development +
Testing
◦ Match
Production +
Consumption

26.  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

27.  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

28. 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

29.  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

30.  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

31.  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%
1
2
3
4
Delivered Scheduled On Time Scheduled Overdue
Soln 1
Soln 2
Soln 3
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
EstimatedCosts
Level of Functionality Met
Evaluation of Functionality v Estimated Cost
Max Budget Cost Funct % by Soln's estimated 3 years costs
[1]
[2]
[3]

32.  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)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
OutputCost
Input Quantity
ScaleRate 1:1 Rate
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000 140,000 160,000
OutputCost
Input Quantity
ScaleRate 1:1 Rate
0
50
100
150
200
250
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
OutputCost
Input Quantity
ScaleRate 1:1 Rate

33.  Characteristics
◦ Plots a number of X +
Y coordinates
◦ Calculates & displays
trend line
◦ Graph scale
configurable

34.  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/V
isualization/showAll.xql