Transforming Reporting Requirements Into a Visual

Masterpiece

Paul TurleySqlServerBiBlog.com

Abstract and Objectives

Starting with an understanding of user objectives and business needs, we’ll talk about choosing the right visual theme for a report or dashboard; choosing the right tool and then explore techniques to deliver a functional reporting experience.

We’ll talk about reporting on different data sources such as a SQL Server data mart, SSAS multidimensional & SSAS Tabular model. We’ll also consider a choice of visualization tools like SSRS, Power View and Excel Services.

The Secret to Achieving Success in Reporting Projects:

• Find a single stakeholder to articulate all the business requirements

• Establish all requirements before beginning work

• Document requirements thoroughly and get sign-off

• Give the users exactly what they want; nothing more, nothing less

…blah blah blah(it’s not that easy)

Facts to Consider…

Reporting and BI Projects are Chaotic by Nature

You Must Exercise Discipline

Sometimes There Are No Rules

Only Guidelines

Balance Planning with Iterating

Design

PrototypeValidate

Plan

Know Your Audience

“Help me do my job”

“Show me the numbers”

“What’s most important?”

User Perception and Visualization

Report styles may depend on factors such as:• Left and right brain thinkers• Operational & analytical applications• Business culture

SharedDesktop

Reporting Tools & Platforms

On Premises Report Server

Office 365 or Power BI

(in the cloud)

On Premises SharePoint

• Excel PivotTables & Charts

• Power Query• Power Pivot• Power View• Power Map• Access

Reporting Services

Excel Services

Power BI Q&A

Mobile Dashboards

Power View

How this statement make you FEEL?

“Microsoft gives me

a lot of tool choices”

Power Pivot models

Report Data Sources

What about: Hadoop, OData, XML, Text, JSON, MongoDB, DocumentDB, etc?

Tabular modelsRelational DBMS Multidimensional

models(cubes)

Conceptual, provides structure

Simple, non-comprehensive

Requirement Documentation

Non-Functional Mockups

Formal Requirement Template

Converting Requirements to Visuals

Segmentation

Geographic Analysis

Time-series

Deviations & Outliers

Measure to Target

Contribution to Whole

Dashboard Design Essentials

Poor design is painfully obvious…

…only after it’s finished

Examples: Stephen Few, PercetualEdge.com

A great dashboard is a product of planning, interactive design and simplification

Demonstrations

Transforming Reporting Requirements Into a Visual

Masterpiece

Paul TurleySqlServerBiBlog.com