Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Summary
Communicating the value of analytical projects is critical for sustaining the
momentum of a project and building support within organizations. This support is
instrumental in turning a successful project into a system or integrating it properly
into an existing production environment. Because an analytics project may need to
be communicated to audiences with mixed backgrounds, this chapter recommends
creating four deliverables to satisfy most of the needs of various stakeholders.
• A presentation for a project sponsor
• A presentation for an analytical audience
• Technical specification documents
• Well-annotated production code
Creating these deliverables enables the analytics project team to communicate and
evangelize the work that it did, whereas the code and technical documentation
assists the team that wants to implement the models within the production
environment.
This chapter illustrates the importance of selecting clear and simple visual
representations to support the key points in the final presentations or for portraying
data. Most data representations and graphs can be improved by simply removing
the visual distractions. This means minimizing or removing chart junk, which
distracts the viewer from the main purpose of a chart or graph and does not add
information value. Following several common-sense principles about minimizing
distractions in slides and visualizations, communicating clearly and simply, using
color in a deliberate way, and taking time to provide context addresses most of the
common problems in charts and slides. These few guidelines support the creation of
crisp, clear visuals that convey the key messages.
In most cases, the best data visualizations use the simplest, clearest visual to
illustrate the key point. Avoid unnecessary embellishment and focus on trying to
find the best, simplest method for transmitting the message. Context is critical to
orient the viewer to a chart or graph, because people have immediate reactions to
imagery on a precognitive level. To this end, make sure to employ thoughtful use of
color and orient the viewer with scales, legends, and axes.
