Chapter 31 Introducing Visualizations

The CWD Data Warehouse allows Users to explore Data and Model outputs using Visualizations, which refer to any view or summary of data or model outputs. A single visualization may contain one or more elements, such as tables, charts, and maps. They can be used to convey information to Provider staff.

There are several general aspects of visualizations that users should understand:

  • Creating visualizations

  • Displaying visualizations

  • Sharing visualizations

  • Types of visualizations

31.1 Creating visualizations

Only Provider Administrators can create visualizations. An interface for creating and managing visualizations can be accessed from the Explore section of the Warehouse main menu. Thumbnail images of existing visualizations are shown on the main page. Clicking a thumbnail opens the visualization which can be modified or deleted. To return to the main page of visualizations, click on the back arrow to the left of the visualization title.

To create a new visualization, click the + sign in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Select the visualization type (required) from the drop-down list:

  • Surveillance activity

  • Risk-weighted surveillance quotas model

  • Optimization model

  • Epizootic risk model

  • Provider ad hoc

  • Regional ad hoc

  • QA/QC

Enter a Title (required) for the visualization. This custom title will be displayed when the visualization is referenced, such as in thumbnails and drop-down lists.

Enter Comments (optional) that will be displayed along with the visualization.

31.2 Displaying visualizations

The Display section contains controls for how Visualizations are presented in the Visualization dashboard.

  • Weight: this value is used to order visualizations on the dashboard. Visualizations with lower weight values will be presented before those with higher weight values.

  • Display on visualization dashboard for all users is used to control whether non-administrative users will be shown this visualization.

  • Tag category is used to group visualizations on the dashboard.

  • Thumbnail: an image can be uploaded to be used as the preview image on the dashboard.

31.2.1 Visualization tags

Visualization tag categories are used to group and organize visualizations on the visualization dashboard. To configure available categories that will be shown in the dropdown list, open the tag dialog by clicking the cog icon to the right of the tag control. Enter the name(s) for visualization tag categories. The order of the categories dictates the order of the groupings of visualizations on the dashboard. Drag and drop tags to re-order them. Click OK to save your changes.

Tagging visualizations will organize them on the dashboard under headings (i.e., tag categories). All visualizations that do not have tags will fall into a section at the bottom labeled “Other visualizations”. If no visualizations have been tagged, visualizations will appear on the dashboard with no headings.

31.3 Sharing visualizations

By default, Visualizations are visible only to Provider Administrators associated with the given Provlder. Therefore, if you are a Provider Administrator and create a new visualization, only you and other Provider Administrators within your Agency can see the Visualization.

However, a Provider Administrator may choose to share a Visualization with all Provider Users. Within the Display section, check the box “Display on visualization dashboard for all users” to make the visualization visible to all Provider Users.

31.4 Types of visualizations

Some Visualizations have specific purposes and require specific Data or Model executions. These include Visualizations designed for model exploration (such as the Risk-weighted Surveillance Quotas Model Visualization) or for helping a Provider track surveillance progress during a sampling period (the Surveillance Activity Visualization).

There are two Visualizations (Provider ad hoc and Regional ad hoc) that allow a user more flexibility to present their Data visually on a map.

31.4.1 Visualization input

The Visualization input dialog is tailored to the type of visualization being created. Inputs for various types of visualizations include model executions, sample data criteria, and annual surveillance season-years. Options will appear depending on selections made.