ga project #4 student presentation - platfora

PlatforaBig Data Analytics for the Fact-Based Enterprise

Mike Lee & George KomotoThursday, October 31, 13

Mike Lee + George Komoto

What is Big Data Analytics?

Key Facts:• Not defined by size• Hadoop is the leading framework • Hadoop is open-source

Common issues• Requires time and money to access data• Many sources of data• Quantity of data volume

Thursday, October 31, 13


Platfora

Platfora transforms raw data in Hadoop into interactive, in-memory business intelligence without the friction of IT or complexity of existing approaches. A complete solution, it seamlessly connects data to end-users. No separate data warehouse or ETL required.

The ChallengeCustomers are getting stuck in the current stepped wizard approach. The interface is not intuitive for non-database administrators.

The SolutionDesign a graphical interface that permits creating multiple connections in the same experience. The new workflow requires less time to complete this task, and encourages more interactive exploration and visualization of data.



Persona: LuisPersonas provided by Platfora



Persona: MarybethPersonas provided by Platfora



Design Process

User Research

• Gain more insights from typical end users (i.e. Tableau users)

• Inquire about preferred tools and methodologies

• Understand pain points in current workflows

Design Iteration

• Present UI sketches to Platfora team for feedback

• Test wireframes with target end users

• General Assembly back-end engineers

• Business/data analysts within network



Task Analysis: Deconstruct & Revise




SelectData Sources(Linear Steps)






ConnectData Sources

(Design Canvas)





Edit Data


ConnectData Sources

(Design Canvas)





Platfora Task Analysis Created By: Mike LeeDate Created: 17-OCT-2013Last Revised: 28-OCT-2013

Yes

Yes

Login

Home

Data Catalog

Click ‘Add Dataset’

Select Data:Choose source

data for dataset

Click ‘Continue’

Parse Data:How to extract

rows and columns

Raw file contains header?

Select checkbox


Manage Fields:Add computed fields and verify

field info

Click ‘Define Key’

Define Key: Indicate column(s) that make up the

unique key

Select field(s) to include in key

Wrangled / Raw

Click ‘Save & Exit’

Confirm?

Success message popup

[species_SF]

[id]

Click ‘Add Dataset’

Select Data:Choose source

data for dataset


Parse Data:How to extract

rows and columns

Raw file contains header?

Select checkbox



field info

Select column for dataset join

Click ‘Create References’

Create References:

Set up joins to dimension dataset

Select target dataset from

dropdown

Yes

Select foreign key from dropdown

Name reference?

Enter reference name

Click ‘Add’

Click ‘Save & Exit’

Confirm?

Success message popup

Yes

[trees_SF]

[species_ID]

[species_SF]

[species_ID]

Yes

“Species” appears in References tab

“Species”

Data Catalog

View reference details in field

My Datasets > trees_SF

Select target dataset to view

details

Data Catalog

Tasks1. Select Data2. Parse Data3. Manage Fields4. Create Reference5. Key6. Finish & Save

Key

Screen

Action

Decision

Loading…

Display

Input

00:00

02:58


field info

Select column for dataset join

Click ‘Create References’

Create References:

Set up joins to dimension dataset

Select target dataset from

dropdown

Select foreign key from dropdown

Name reference?

[species_ID]

[species_SF]

[species_ID]

Yes

The complete task flow for importing datasets, adding

references, and preparing for Vizboards

The task flow we are focused on for this project.



User Research

MethodWe conducted 7 interviews with people similar to our personas who are currently using data analytics tools.

FindingsAccess to data is a problem. Requests to make data warehouse changes can take weeks. Preparation involves many schema and data processing tools. The most common tool between stakeholders was the data model diagram.

Opportunities IdentifiedDesign a way to visualize and interact with the full data model.



Competitive Analysis: SAS



Competitive Analysis: Alteryx + Tableau



Competitive Analysis: Karmasphere



Ideation



Ideation: Onsite at Platfora



Early Wireframes



User Flow: Marybeth (Business Analyst)1. Creates multiple links to a specific field from a different dataset that references additional data for that row 2. Manages/edits references3. Previews the content and see example data for each Fields4. Identifies specific fields that can be used by another dataset to link rows back into that other dataset



User Flow: Marybeth (Business Analyst)1. Creates multiple links to a specific field from a different dataset that references additional data for that row

Marybeth starts with the fact dataset. The key is already selected. She uses the fly out menu to view her options. She knows she needs to connect the other datasets in the company catalog.

Platfora automatically lists the datasets in the catalog. It also knows to match data types with the existing key. Here Marybeth can link one or both target datasets.



User Flow: Marybeth (Business Analyst)2. Manages/edits references

Marybeth needs to make some changes to the reference name. The flyout menu she used to create the references also has a link to make the changes she needs.

Marybeth edits the names of both of the target datasets. Unchecking the boxes will remove the relationship.



User Flow: Marybeth (Business Analyst)3. Previews the content and see example data for each Fields

To quickly verify the datasets, the i button in the upper-right provides a quick preview. To make changes, Marybeth would have to explore the import/parse data to make larger changes.



User Flow: Marybeth (Business Analyst)4. Identifies specific fields that can be used by another dataset to link rows back into that other dataset

Similar to the original dataset she configured, when she has more datasets, she can create references from target datasets to other datasets.



Wireframe Feedback

Key Findings

• Resolves the issue jumping back and forth within the import data wizard, but still does not give a clear view of relationships

• Would require more development resources to create because the components shown do not currently exist

• Showing the relationships between the datasets should help users avoid many of the issues they currently experience



Design for Humans: Interactive Web UI

Managing relationships between datasets should be as intuitive and visual as working with Platfora Vizboards.

Design LanguageHow do we communicate the relationships between fact and dimension datasets?

Visual InterfaceHow do we translate action steps into intuitive interactions?



Design Language: Entity-Relationship


http://www.agiledata.org/essays/agileDataModeling.html

Graphical user interfaces in database administration is not new. Several schematics exist to represent relationships and the flow of data.





Potential Issues: Complexity & Overload



Visual Idea: Mozilla Collusion

http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/collusion/demo/

(Star Schema) (Entity Relationship)


http://www.alteryx.com/solutions/analytic-solutions/tableau

http://www.alteryx.com/solutions/analytic-solutions/tableau


Flow-Based Programming: NoFlo.js

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/noflo/noflo-development-environmenthttp://noflojs.org/dataflow-noflo/demo/draggabilly.html

http://bergie.iki.fi/blog/inspiration-for-fbp-ui/



Prototype Link

Invision Link:

http://goo.gl/8wsVED




Thank You

MIKE LEEUX Designer@mikejlee

GEORGE KOMOTOUX Designer@rgeorgek42


ga project #4 student presentation - platfora

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