Information visualization evaluation in large companies: Challenges, experiences and recommendations

Abstract

We examine the implications of evaluating data analysis processes and information visualization tools in a large company setting. While several researchers have addressed the difficulties of evaluating information visualizations with regards to changing data, tasks, and visual encodings, considerably less work has been published on the difficulties of evaluation within specific work contexts. We specifically focus on the challenges which arise in the context of large companies with several thousand employees. Based on our own experience from a 3.5-year collaboration within a large automotive company, we first present a collection of nine information visualization evaluation challenges. We then discuss these challenges by means of two concrete visualization case studies from our own work. We finally derive a set of sixteen recommendations for planning and conducting evaluations in large company settings. The set of challenges and recommendations and the discussion of our experience are meant to provide practical guidance to other researchers and practitioners who plan to study information visualization in large company settings.

Value visualization in Product Service Systems preliminary design

“…There are a few drawbacks documented in literature about running verification activities in artificial scenarios (Sedlmair et al, 2011). However, most evaluations for information visualization tools are still conducted in artificial lab settings (Ellis and Dix, 2006).…”

“…The popularity of CAD representation for conveying heterogeneous design information also depends by the problems related to the integration of new information visualization tools in daily engineering work practices (Sedlmair et al, 2011). Experts are often very accustomed to and effective with traditional tools and results, being reluctant to learn a new system (Sedlmair et al, 2011).…”

“…Experts are often very accustomed to and effective with traditional tools and results, being reluctant to learn a new system (Sedlmair et al, 2011). Also, the integration of a new visualization tool in the existing company software package has often been found challenging (Sedlmair et al, 2011).…”

Co-Creation in Complex Supply Chains: The Benefits of a Value Driven Design Approach

“…Large companies require upfront authorization to deploy new software or tools in their working environment, for both functionality and security reasons. Furthermore, experts are often accustomed to and effective with the existing tools and methods, and the integration of a new solution may break the chain of analysis processes (Sedlmair et al 2011). Hara et al (2009) promotes the use of CAD/PLM tools for lifecycle information visualization, as a way to limit users' reluctance against new systems.…”

Product Development in the Socio-sphere

“…However, the integration of innovative information visualization approaches in daily work practices is a labor-intensive and risky process (Sedlmair et al 2011). Large companies require upfront authorization to deploy new software or tools in their working environment, for both functionality and security reasons.…”