Let’s Get Visual: The Art of Report Design

Paul TurleyMentor|SQL Server MVPSolidQ

DBI334

Types of Reports and Analytics

Operational ReportingStrategic Analytic ReportingTactical Analytic ReportingPrepared ReportsUser-driven AnalyticsEnterprise Portals & DashboardsDepartment & Functional Portals

Principles of Report Design

Function

Form

Fit

Visual Design Skills

Functional Business Skills

Technical Development Skills

Principles of Effective Design

Know Your AudiencePrioritize ObjectivesMaintain BalanceConsider Trade-Offs: super reports & simple reportsDon’t take visuals too farUse POCs & throw them awayGet a Second OpinionAccept FeedbackBe Willing to Learn

5

Dashboards & Sparklines

6

These aren’t sparklines

Edward Tufte: "small, high resolution graphics embedded in a context of words, numbers, images".

These are sparklines

Chart with no cluttered details, scales or labels.

Complete context should be provided in a drill-through, pop-up or separate chart on the dashboard.

Demo

Sparklines and Report Parts

with Report Builder

Dashboard Examples

Dashboard Examples

9

Report Examples

Styling & Color

Styling & image are more important than many technical experts can realizeEstablish standards before report designUse subtle colors for stylingUser bold colors for alerts & exceptionsPeople can distinguish 16 shades of a single color, 5-8 very easilyCombine colors & shapes for color blindnessConsult experts for color coordination

ColourLovers.com

Designing & Using an Interactive Dashboardwith PerformancePoint Services

Demo

Visual Reports

13

The “Australian Sparkline”

Scorecard with integrated map

Business Intelligence

Let’s talk about Self-Service ReportingSharePointExcel & Excel ServicesPowerPivotPerformance PointReport BuilderBI Semantic ModelsProject Crescent

14

Next Generation Self-service BI

Project Crescent user experienceBI Semantic ModelsAlerting

Consulting the Experts

Edward TufteStephen FewUse screen space effectivelyDon’t clutter, leave white spaceDeliver the most important message firstKeep it simpleDon’t insult the user’s intelligence by over-simplifyingUse color in meaningful contextDon’t over-use visuals & metaphors

16

Please Don’t Scream

Rather than yelling, reduce the noiseBring important data to the surfaceReduce borders, effects & background fills

Too Much or Too Little?Going to extremes

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Can an executive business user consume this information in 5 seconds?

Does “dashboard” really mean that it has to look like the CEO’s Jaguar?

Are 3-D charts really THAT cool?

Use gauges and metaphors as appropriate but consider the best use of screen space & readability

What were the sales for FR, UK, Australia & Germany in 2001 & 2002?

Too Much or Too Little?

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Report Navigation Controls

Too Much or Too Little?Maintain balance

20

Styled Dashboard

in SharePoint 2010

Demo

Bottom Line

Simple is SexyKnow your audienceReduce the noise – bring important data to the surfaceExecutive analytical reports: 5 second consumptionOperational analytic reports: enable deep explorationDon’t insult user’s intelligence by over-simplifyingBalance: Form, Fit & Function

22

Related Content

The BI Power Hour

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Track Resources

SqlServerBiBlog.com – my blog

Reporting Services Recipes book – Wrox Press

PerceptualEdge.com – Stephen Few

ColourLovers.com

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