Reduce cognitive load

Data Visualization in Power BI

Iason Prassides

Content Developer at DataCamp

Short-term memory

This is a simplified version of the way humans process signals.

How short-term memory works

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.

Humans can hold 7 (plus or minus two) pieces of information 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.

Or maybe 4?

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

Later research indicates that it may be closer to 4 items.

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

Cognitive load

An example of a dashboard exhibiting high cognitive load

Reducing cognitive load

Quick wins in reducing cognitive load:

Tailor the page to your audience
Focus on one story per report page
Strike the balance between information-rich visuals and confusing the audience

Three information-rich visuals

Custom visuals in Power BI

Custom visuals can be loaded into a Power BI report.

Custom visuals in Power BI

Microsoft AppSource

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

Adding a tornado chart to Power BI via Microsoft AppSource

Thinking of our audience

Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)

Executive-level role
Responsibilities related to
- Marketing
- Sales
- Product development
Report to CEO the commercial success of the business.
Threads Ltd CCO requires information related to financial performance.

Cartoon image of the letters CCO, with visuals and people around.

Let's practice!

Data Visualization in Power BI