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Agenda 8/29/12. Discuss information visualization methods. Tables, diagrams, charts, bullet points Words vs. pictures vs. numbers Visualization that must stand on its own vs. those accompanied by talk. Evaluate information visualization methods.
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Agenda 8/29/12 • Discuss information visualization methods. • Tables, diagrams, charts, bullet points • Words vs. pictures vs. numbers • Visualization that must stand on its own vs. those accompanied by talk. • Evaluate information visualization methods. • Look for level of content. Does it transmit rich content? • What are the strengths/weaknesses? • Are there other ways that the material could be presented? • Begin to generate guidelines for information visualization. • Present systems development life cycle.
To visualize means… • To form a mental image of… • To make perceptible to the mind or imagination. • Visualization is a cognitive activity; when we visualize we perform a mental process.
Information visualization • Definitions of information visualization related to technology: • The study of how to effectively present information. • The use of computer-supported visual representations of abstract data to amplify cognition (from Readings in Information Visualization). • The purpose of information visualization is to help people think by providing different representations of data for differing contexts. • Information visualization should help: • Speed up understanding and resultant actions. • Encourage innovative ways to think about the data.
Information visualization is design, not art • Art and design are not the same. • Art is valued for its originality and expressiveness. • Art is valued for pushing the bounds of accepted norms and potentially expanding the definition of those norms. • Design is valued for its fitness to a particular user or task. • Design is valued for its effectiveness and use. • Design requires that the designer know the audience, use, task, and objectives to be accomplished.
Definition: Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC) • The process used to develop, implement and support a technology-based application. • Process visualizations include waterfall, spiral, SCRUM, etc. • Each step in the process may feed into another step. Each step may get feedback from another step.
Waterfall Method • Developers follow SDLC phases in order • Phase completion criteria = “gate” • Discourages revisiting and revising any prior phase once it's complete • Inflexible • For use in a system that is clearly described
Spiral Method • Deliberate iterative risk analysis • Suited to large-scale complex systems • Formulate a plan to achieve the objectives with constraints • Strive to find and remove all potential risks through careful analysis • Constructing a prototype if necessary • If some risks can not be ruled out, the customer has to decide whether to terminate the project or to ignore the risks and continue anyway • Results are evaluated and the design of the next phase begins
SCRUM Method • Iterative, incremental framework • Advocates a lighter, people-centric approach • Uses feedback as primary control mechanism • Driven by regular tests and releases of the evolving software • "Working more hours" does not necessarily mean "producing more output" • "A happy team makes a tough task look simple"
Steps in the SDLC – analyze the problem • Project definition • Identify scope, budget, goals. • Identify risks, opportunities, constraints • Systems analysis • Understand problem to be solved. • Separate symptoms from problem. • Identify potential solutions.
Step in the SDLC – plan the solution • Systems design • Create detailed blueprint of the solution. • Includes very detailed description of input, data and output. • Design the visualization methods that are part of the solution. • Design the overall programs/technology that composes the solution. • Create testing specifications – how will you know the system works correctly?
Steps in the SDLC – create the solution • Programming/Making the technology from existing tools • Choose appropriate technical environment. • Develop technical solution with appropriate tools and existing applications. • Test technical solution in parts. • Document technical solution for systems professionals. • Installation • Test entire technical solution. • Decide how to convert data and existing processes. • Help people adjust to new system. • Perform training and create user-oriented documentation.
Steps in the SDLC – keep it going • Support • Assume a relatively long life span of computer applications. Even those that were developed quickly to solve an immediate business problem seem to last a surprisingly long time. • Assume that the application becomes the way people do work. • Ongoing training. • Ongoing documentation. • Ongoing testing. • Ongoing changes: • Government regulation changes. • New business conditions. • People use the application, learn new ways to complete work effectively, and then want changes to incorporate their learning into the application.