Module3-Lesson3.docx

Visualization Tool Comparison

To create stunning and influential presentations, you need to utilize clear and precise charts and graphs. All of your visualizations are based on data, either internal, external or a combination of the two. Visualization tools will allow us to bring these types of data together, hopefully in a digestible and informative format.

To make an educated decision on the purchase of a visualization tool that fits your company’s criteria, compare and contrast the many visualization tools’ features, costs, and skill levels. By using the company’s needs and desires for a proper fitting visualization tool, a large portion of available products can be filtered out.

Once those products that do not fit the needs of the company have been eliminated, there remains a subset of visualization tools that need to be studied. Begin by comparing the features of each.

Some common functionality can be found in most visualization tools. Simplified standalone visualization software packages will have minimal features as compared to fully integrated business intelligence (BI) solutions that contain a wide array of capabilities such as integrated data analytics and data mining. The most common functionalities shared among all the visualization tools include:
· Basic visualizations that include a selection of chart types
· Drag-and-drop interactivity
· Alerts that can be set to identify changes in data
· Internal and external sharing of visualizations
· Import and export capabilities
Objectivity is important in these comparisons; therefore a simple matrix can be created that lists the required features. This matrix will allow any easy comparison of each product’s attributes against others. The weighted values for each product would be more objective if fellow associates make independent comparisons and average their outcomes with yours. The value of each feature is given points from 1 to 10 with ten being the best; the bottom row contains the average weight of each product (the total sum divided by the number of features).

Visualization Tool Feature Comparisons

· Product A
Variety of Chart Types: 8
Drag and Drop interactivity: 9
Alerts or Dynamic updates: 10
Sharing: 9
Import & Export: 10
Total Points: 46
Average Weight: 9.2

· Product B
Variety of Chart Types: 9
Drag and Drop interactivity: 7
Alerts or Dynamic updates: 7
Sharing: 9
Import & Export: 10
Total Points: 42
Average Weight: 8.4

· Product C
Variety of Chart Types: 6
Drag and Drop interactivity: 8
Alerts or Dynamic updates: 9
Sharing: 10
Import & Export: 10
Total Points: 43
Average Weight : 8.6

· Product D
Variety of Chart Types: 5
Drag and Drop interactivity: 7
Alerts or Dynamic updates: 10
Sharing: 8
Import & Export: 10
Total Points: 40
Average Weight: 8

· Product E
Variety of Chart Types: 10
Drag and Drop interactivity: 8
Alerts or Dynamic updates: 7
Sharing: 10
Import & Export: 10
Total Points: 45
Average Weight: 5.6

The results here indicate that Product A is the best choice based on common features.
Now create another matrix that compares the cost of ownership. Licensing is an area where costs can fluctuate according to the various licensing models offered by the makers of each visualization tool. Software such as visualization tools can be loaded on an internal server, external cloud servers, or individual user machines. Also, there might also be an annual subscription fee above and beyond the original price. Software support costs also need to be considered. These pricing models can become very cloudy; be sure to obtain quotes from all the vendors being considered as to their various charges. A word of caution – do not request pricing information on all visualization tools, just the ones that you have narrowed down by using your company’s criteria. Otherwise, you will be inundated with sales calls.

Once again, the value of each cost is given points from 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest cost; the bottom row is the average weight of each product (the total sum divided by the number of individual costs).
Visualization Tool Cost Comparisons
· Product A
Initial cost: 10
Licensing: 3
Subscription fees: 0
Software support: 10
Total Points: 23
Average Weight: 5.8

· Product B
Initial cost: 6
Licensing: 6
Subscription fees: 5
Software support: 0
Total Points: 17
Average Weight: 4.3

· Product C
Initial cost: 5
Licensing: 6
Subscription: fees: 5
Software support: 7
Total Points: 23
Average Weight: 5.8

· Product D
Initial cost: 7
Licensing: 0
Subscription fees: 8
Software support: 4
Total Points: 19
Average Weight: 4.8

· Product E
Initial cost: 8
Licensing: 10
Subscription fees: 3
Software support: 6
Total Points: 27
Average Weight: 6.8

The results indicate that Product B is the best choice based on cost.
The final element in the decision making process is determining what the skill level is required to use the various visualization tools. The value of user difficulty is given points from 1 to 3, with one being the most difficult. If training is included, a value of 1 is given and a 0 for none available; the bottom row is the average weight of difficulty and training available for each product (the total sum divided by the number of individual scores).
 

Visualization Tool Skill Required Comparisons

· Product A
Difficulty: 2
Training availability: 1
Total Points: 3
Average Weight: 1.5

· Product B
Difficulty: 1
Training availability:1
Total Points: 2
Average Weight: 1

· Product C
Difficulty: 2
Training availability: 0
Total Points: 2
Average Weight: 1

· Product D
Difficulty: 1
Training availability: 1
Total Points: 2
Average Weight: 1

· Product E
Difficulty: 2
Training availability: 0
Total Points: 2
Average Weight: 1

The results indicate that Product A is the best choice based on skill level and available training.
Now combine the comparison scores to identify which product will be the best fit for the organization.

Visualization Tool Final Comparisons

· Product A
Features: 9.2
Cost: 5.8
User Skill & Training: 1.5
Total Points: 16.5
Average Weight: 5.5

· Product B
Features: 8.4
Cost: 4.3
User Skill & Training: 1
Total Points: 13.7
Average Weight: 4.6

· Product C
Features: 8.6
Cost: 5.8
User Skill & Training: 1
Total Points: 15.4
Average Weight 5.1

· Product D
Features: 8
Cost: 4.8
User Skill & Training: 1
Total Points:.13.8
Average Weight: 4.6

· Product E
Features: 5.6
Cost: 6.8
User Skill & Training: 1
Total Point: 13.4
Average Weight: 4.5

The results indicate that Product A is the best choice based on the aggregate averages of features, costs, skill level and available training.

The previous exercises are a simple demonstration of how to conduct a comparison; however certain weights should be assigned to each factor. In other words, what is the most important item factored by your company – features, costs, or skill level? The majority of the work has been accomplished, and the final selection will be up to your management.

When conducting comparisons, ensure that you are comparing apples to apples. If not, your results could become skewed, and an inappropriate product might be purchased.

Steps:

1. Determine the visualization needs of the organization
2. Research tools available to gather information
3. Filter out tools that don’t fit cost or need requirements
4. Compare tools and features, analyze cost, and determine skill level necessary
5. Make a decision and propose a product recommendation