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Save the Pies for Lunch!. Visualising Data with SQL Server Reporting Services. 1 st October 2010. Tim Kent tim.kent@adatis.co.uk @ timk_adatis http://blogs.adatis.co.uk. Agenda. Definition of a dashboardeport Principles of good design SQL Server Reporting Services demo 2008 R2 Maps
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Save the Pies for Lunch! Visualising Data with SQL Server Reporting Services 1st October 2010 Tim Kent tim.kent@adatis.co.uk @timk_adatis http://blogs.adatis.co.uk
Agenda • Definition of a dashboard\report • Principles of good design • SQL Server Reporting Services demo • 2008 R2 Maps • Report Management • Report Builder
Definition of a Dashboard Visual Display of The most important information needed to achieve objectives which Fits entirely on a single screen so it can be Monitored at a glance
Demo Output Control
Meaningless without context Compared to what? Avoid too much context!
Use the correct measure Actual vs Budget isn’t always useful
Use the correct measure Use Labels appropriately Think about what you are trying to tell your user
Demo Variance Graphs
Use Effective Display Media • Avoid Variety for the sake of variety • It’s OK to only have one type of graph • Don’t be frightened of tables • What type of graph should I use?
What type of graph? • Bar – show values with categorical axis • Line – show trends with interval axis • Pie – always something better
What type of graph? • Sparklines – ensure detail is available • Gauges – rarely appropriate • Exception is bullet graphs
What type of graph? • Scatter Graphs – use for showing spread\correlation of data • Bump graphs – for showing wins and losses over intervals
What type of graph? • Lattice Charts\Small Multiples
What type of graph? • Heatmaps • Icon Charts
What type of graph? • Radar Graphs \ Polar Graphs • Box Plots
Demo Bump Charts
The Data-Ink Ratio Remove all unnecessary non-data pixels De-emphasize any non-data pixels that remain Remove all unnecessary data pixels!
Avoid “Decoration” Statistics don’t have to be boring!
Avoid “Decoration” Colour
Avoid “Decoration” Gridlines and Borders
What remains? • Use legible fonts • Avoid excessive detail or precision • Drill to detail where required • Highlight what’s important
Demo Indicators
Summary Consider your display Media Remember your user’s objectives Everything on a single screen Information at a glance Simplicity, Simplicity, Simplicity Reporting Services is a fully featured visualisation tool Good dashboard design is a hard sell
Resources • Resources • Stephen Few – Information Dashboard Design • Edward Tufte - The Visual Display of Quantitative Information • Adatis Blogs – blogs.adatis.co.uk