Creating documentation of a data visualization tool - A Study of Process and Contents Levels

Abstract

The aim of the thesis is to create documentation on a data visualization tool for a case company. This documentation is used to allow more employees to learn how to visualize data themselves without having to go through the metrics team. The creation of the documentation is analyzed on both a process and content level, and the data is retrieved through a qualitative research design. On the process level, the focus is placed on factors for maximizing user engagement of the documentation. On the content level, the factors when visualizing the data desired are focused, in order to best document the process of doing so. The factors affecting the process level and the content level of the documentation are determined through analysis of relevant literature, secondary research and through qualitative interviews with relevant employees at the case company. For maximizing user engagement, it was found that the documentation has to primarily address the process of visualizing the data desired, both in regard to relevant literature as well as how to do it using the software, while also presenting itself in a way simple enough to make navigating the documentation more efficient and less time-consuming. For the factors to consider when visualizing the data desired, three criteria of selecting appropriate graphs were deemed most relevant and applied to the desired data accordingly. These criteria are the structure of the data sets, the intended use of the graph and the research question of the graph. Additionally, several data visualization guidelines found in literature were also considered when visualizing the data desired.