Data is an important asset to an organization but what more important is to understand what data is trying to speak. It might be a tricky task to get a clear understanding by looking at a set of few numbers. The data is easy to understand if represented well. For this, data visualization comes into force.
As the name suggests, data visualization is the process of representing raw data into graphical formats to enable decision makers get better insights of the data patterns. It is much easier to understand data in form of pictures and graphs as compared to reading data through spreadsheets or reports. This makes data visualization of much importance. Further, with substantial increase in data stored on computers, data visualization becomes need of the hour. New tools are being developed rapidly to make data visualization more fruitful for the viewers. With interactive tools, the users can now filter the graphs to show more precise information out of the available data.
Growing ahead, the data visualization tools these days are more than simple graphs and pictures. The most recent tools for data visualization include infographics, dials and gauges, heat maps and geographical maps. With interactive capabilities, users can play around and drill into the data to get response on different types of queries. This not only helps them understand the existing trends in data but also assess future numbers and plan ahead.
Combined with Business Intelligence applications, data visualization proves to be a great tool for businesses to assess the efficiency of business decisions taken in past and define strategies for future decisions accordingly.
