Presenting Actions in Analytics Softwares - Design Considerations for a Contextual Presentation of Options for Acting on Selected Data in Analytics Softwares

Abstract

Analytics platforms enable the analysis of data through visual representations, and support users in uncovering insights from their data and making business-critical decisions. In order to ultimately be able to make these decisions, it is important to be able to act on the data that is selected in the various visualizations. With this in mind, the purpose of this thesis project was to answer the following research question:

In analytics softwares, what should be considered when designing how to present relevant options for acting on selected data in visualizations?

The project was conducted in collaboration with a visual analytics company, where an iterative design process was carried out in order to answer the research question. The process followed Design Thinking and was initiated with a pre-study followed by two design iterations, to finally end up with a design and a set of eight guidelines. Throughout the project, the design and the guidelines were iterated upon alternately, and the final design serves as an example of how the guidelines can be implemented. The final set of guidelines serve as a foundation for what to keep in mind when making decisions on future designs when presenting actions for selected data in analytics softwares.