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Chapter 3

This document discusses reducing cognitive load when visualizing data. It notes that short-term memory can hold approximately 4 pieces of information. Creating visualizations that focus on one story per page and strike a balance between information and clarity can help reduce cognitive load on users. Custom visuals from the Microsoft AppSource can also be used in Power BI reports to visualize data in ways that minimize cognitive strain.

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Komi David ABOTSITSE
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68 views12 pages

Chapter 3

This document discusses reducing cognitive load when visualizing data. It notes that short-term memory can hold approximately 4 pieces of information. Creating visualizations that focus on one story per page and strike a balance between information and clarity can help reduce cognitive load on users. Custom visuals from the Microsoft AppSource can also be used in Power BI reports to visualize data in ways that minimize cognitive strain.

Uploaded by

Komi David ABOTSITSE
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reduce cognitive

load
D ATA V I S U A L I Z AT I O N I N P O W E R B I

Kevin Feasel
CTO, Faregame Inc
Short-term memory
This is a simpli ed version of the way humans process signals.

DATA VISUALIZATION IN POWER BI


The "magical number seven"
George Miller's research discovered that humans can tend to hold seven (plus or minus two)
pieces of information at a time in short-term memory.

1 Miller, G. A. (1956). The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing
information. Psychological Review, 63(2), 81-97.

DATA VISUALIZATION IN POWER BI


Or maybe 4?
Further research indicates that this may be closer to 4 +/- 1 but that we can "chunk"
information together.

1Cowan, N (2001). The magical number 4 in short-term memory: a reconsideration of mental storage capacity.
Behavioral Brain Science, 24(1), 87-114.

DATA VISUALIZATION IN POWER BI


Cognitive load

DATA VISUALIZATION IN POWER BI


Reducing cognitive load
Quick wins in reducing cognitive load:

1. Tailor the page to your audience

2. Focus on one story per report page

3. Strike the balance between information-rich visuals and confusing the audience

DATA VISUALIZATION IN POWER BI


Custom visuals in Power BI
Custom visuals can be loaded into a Power BI report.

DATA VISUALIZATION IN POWER BI


Microsoft AppSource
Microso AppSource is a centralized marketplace for Power BI custom visuals.

DATA VISUALIZATION IN POWER BI


Thinking of our audience
Historian persona
How has o ensive productivity changed over time?

Is an emphasis on power hi ing a detriment elsewhere?

DATA VISUALIZATION IN POWER BI


Let's practice!
D ATA V I S U A L I Z AT I O N I N P O W E R B I
Combination charts
and custom visuals
D ATA V I S U A L I Z AT I O N I N P O W E R B I

Kevin Feasel
Instructor
Let's practice!
D ATA V I S U A L I Z AT I O N I N P O W E R B I

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