TRAC Innovative Visualization Techniques

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to discuss a method to design visualizations. A mission essential task of the TRADOC Analysis Center (TRAC) is to conduct studies that inform key decisions my by Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Army, and Joint leaders. Because of the complexity of these decisions, TRAC analysts have a constant challenge to present complex analysis results in a simple and sophisticated way. Therefore, TRAC analysts need a way to analyze the effectiveness of their visualization design choices. Currently, TRAC does not have a methodology to analyze visualizations used to support an analysis story. Our research team developed a visualization design methodology to create effective visualizations that support an analysis story. First, we based our methodology on the latest research on design thinking, cognitive learning, and visualization principles. Second, our methodology provides a solid foundation to develop, analyze, and present visualizations. We accomplish this by utilizing a story planning outline and presentation format that is audience focused and presents the most critical information necessary for decision knowledge. Finally, our methodology extends the goodness of the current TRAC documentation standard by fostering communication focused on the decision maker; rapidly prototyping visualizations that foster innovation and creativity; and utilizing a repeatable methodology that provides credibility to the visualization choices used in a presentation to a decision maker.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 14, 2016
Accession Number
AD1025683

Entities

People

  • Cardy Iii Moten
  • Heather Newton
  • Leroy Jackson

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Engineered Resilient Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Brain
  • Cognition
  • Cognitive Science
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Sets
  • Data Visualization
  • Department Of Defense
  • Doctrine
  • Education
  • Military Operations
  • Personality
  • Psychology
  • Standards
  • Students
  • Thinking
  • Training
  • Visualizations

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Database Systems and Applications
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation
  • Systems Analysis and Design