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Effective visualizations: Audience, setting, omitting, imagery, clarity, color.

This is how to deal with visualization urges

Zo ga je om met visualisatiedrang 6 tips voor de vormgeving van visualisaties

Because visualizations within organizations can be created in many ways, the search for the right form is on. Design choices affect the outcome. The content may be seemingly identical, while a powerful design ensures that the message is better understood or comes across better. The following 6 tips will help in the choice of design. 

Tip 1: Choose a clear target audience for the visualization. 
A director does not want complex Excel sheets, while others want to study the details. Therefore, match the message to the target audience. If the target group is organization-wide make sure it is accessible to everyone and keep it as simple as possible. 

Tip 2: Choose the setting in which the visualization should land. 
Is it a report from tooling, the report and presentation of a study, a communication message, a drawing on whiteboard/flip chart, a supplement to a quotation, etc., the setting gives direction to the design. A communication message should only be about the message, while a visualization in a quotation should be visually appealing and also support content. 

Tip 3: The art of omission. 
Ask whether it is really necessary to present certain information. The more information is left out the more focus there is for what is left. This makes a discussion much more specific and gets people thinking in a more focused way. 

Tip 4: Within visualizations, use figures instead of text. 
If, within a visualization, a word or phrase can be replaced with a figure, it is easier to understand and sticks better. This works the opposite way if the chosen figure is not sufficiently clear, then discussion and ambiguity will arise. 

Tip 5: Provide overview within the field of view. 
For example, an infographic fits into one page, but if there is a lot on it, the message is lost. On the other hand, if there are more visualizations for the same topic, ask yourself if it can't be combined in clickable selections, for example. 

Tip 6: Use lots of color. 
Dark colors are more likely to be boring. Bright colors appeal, but are not always easy to see or it is childish. Therefore, when adding color, always make sure it is the right shape and accessible. 

Extra tip: Contact me to go over even more considerations for creating powerful visualizations.

Douwe Horst

This is how to deal with visualization urges: 6 tips for designing visualizations

Improvements in data quality drive process optimization, creating an upward spiral.

Data in order? Improve your processes too

Data op orde

Data is increasingly put in order as a result of attention to data management. It is forgotten that this leads to improvements in the primary and supporting processes, resulting in fewer errors and higher effectiveness. These process improvements, in turn, ensure that the data quality increases, resulting in a self-reinforcing effect. So after putting the data in order, don't forget to improve the processes. 

I meet more and more organizations that are serious about data management. This is to comply with the AVG (General Data Protection Regulation) but also because they can realize their ambitions such as information-driven work on the basis of data. When complying with the AVG, the focus is on what data may and must be retained and who has access to this data. With information-driven work, it is mainly the search for data on which control can take place. 

As a result, data has increasingly been put in order. In other words, an inventory is made of the data present within the organization, because there is often no overview of it, and then it is placed in a suitable location with appropriate authorizations. But all too often I see that it is then forgotten to make better use of this data in the primary and supported processes.  An open goal is missed. 

An example of this in the primary process is putting client files in order in a healthcare institution. The added value of this becomes much greater if one then looks at how this data can be used effectively and efficiently by employees. What information do they need in order to best help the client in specific cases? How can we ensure that precisely this information is easily and quickly extracted from the file? 

Another example is the deployment of steering information. Based on this data, the quality of the capacity management of employees in support processes can be examined, or where in administrative processes the greatest delays occur. This often turns out to be low-hanging fruit because it takes little time to identify improvements. 

and if process improvements are achieved in this way, this also leads retroactively to further strengthening data quality. After all, when processes have fewer errors and are more effective, data quality also increases. This creates a self-reinforcing effect. 

If you want to know where data-based process improvement can be achieved for your organization, please contact me.

Data visualization drives data-driven decisions: Insights, efficiency, informed choices.

Storytelling with datavisualization

Storytelling met datavisualisatie

Governments want to work in a data-driven way, using data to design policy and implementation more efficiently. This starts with making the data accessible, offering insight into the data and thereby telling the story. Data visualization and dashboards offer a low-threshold method for this, and directly help to work and steer in a data-driven manner.

Prepare IoT projects thoroughly: Define goals, involve stakeholders, manage risks.

The Internet of Things and what to expect

More than ever, technological developments are bringing with them a variety of possibilities. Because more is possible, organizations also need to know more about it to determine what to do or not to do. In most cases, developments can work for you, but thorough preparation before starting projects is recommended to avoid disappointment. So what should you look for when starting a project with an Internet of Things (IoT) component? 

An organization is caught off guard when decisions must be made under apparent time pressure to "do something" with available technologies. Think blockchain, machine learning, 3d printing, drones, etc. IoT is not new, but the applications from organizations are often still in their infancy. In the case of IoT, the question is, "You want a 'smart' organization too, right?" You hear that amazing things are possible. The application goes beyond sensors, the price is more attractive than before and it can all be done wirelessly. So why not just try it out in a project? 

Unfortunately, practice is more recalcitrant, according to a recently published Cisco survey of IoT projects. 1845 ICT decision makers were surveyed about their experiences with IoT. They indicated that nearly 75 percent of projects do not lead to the desired results. This starts as early as the Proof of Concept, where expectations are not in line with the result. Top management generally does not know what the technology entails and what the possibilities are, strategy is not connected to operations, business and ICT do not work together and expertise is insufficient. 

Launching IoT projects should be in line with the organization's vision and strategy. But what are the considerations and tools to make a good decision about this? In my opinion, preparation is essential in this regard. Answering important questions in the preparation gives a grip on the result. Examples of such questions, observed from practice, are: 

- What exactly is IoT? 
- What business objective is IoT actually being used for? 
- What is the added value of the project for the organization? 
- How is IoT related to other developments inside and outside the organization? 
- Is there sufficient knowledge of and connection between strategic, tactical and operational layers within the organization regarding IoT? 
- What should be the role of management? 
- What should the collaboration between business and ICT look like? 
- For what purposes might malicious parties be able to misuse an IoT application? 
- How is privacy regulated? Read more about this in VKA consultant Bas de Groot's blog on how to deal with the approaching European (e-)privacy regulation. 
- How stable are networks to choose? 
- How is the integration with IoT cloud platforms? 

Involve the right stakeholders in these questions, from strategy to operations. And above all, let them be "live" questions, so that they are asked throughout the project. This creates a better grip on whether it is in line with expectations. For example, start with workshops weighing opportunities and risks. Then prioritize the most important considerations. This

Data Management & Governance

Scaling Agile

Douwe Horst 300x500 1 290x435

Project Manager & Product Owner

Douwe is involved in business-data initiatives from conception to execution. His strength and motivation lie in bridging the gap between business and data, not only through content but, above all, through people. In his view, 70% of any data initiative is people work and requires a shared language and understanding of the purpose and necessity of the chosen strategy. With a background in social sciences and expertise in IT and data management, Douwe takes on roles that blend strategic connector with leadership of content-focused teams. He often works to bridge the gap between stakeholders at different levels with varying interests. Douwe thrives in a political-administrative context and has applied his skills to urgent societal issues in recent years, such as at RIVM and the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport (VWS) during the COVID crisis. Want to know more? Connect with Douwe on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/douwehorst/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>.

Douwe Horst

Project Manager & Product Owner

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