How to Use Information Architecture and Visualization Techniques to Communicate Complex Data

1. Knowledge base sharing

2. Target definition

3. Information architecture

4. Choice of media language

5. User Experience (UX) definition

6. Prototyping

7. Graphic design

8. Development

It can be a major challenge to collate large amounts of important information into a very limited space. Not only must the data communicate critical information, it must also be represented in a way that resonates with the end user.

The infographic shown is a recent example of a WSP project. The objective was to create a visual for WSP’s MediaLab team to explain to clients our digital first approach to integrated data management and how the technologies and jargon all fit together. To convey the message that everything is logically connected and sequential.

WSP’s MediaLab, which specializes in information architecture and data visualization to support clients with complex data needs, worked with subject matter experts and key stakeholders to start with a basic concept and then evolved it into the final infographic. The final infographic simply and clearly illustrates the complex concepts of MediaLab’s approach.

The result from this infographic was that both WSP stakeholders and our clients better understand the process and interactions, how digital services can address pain points and create efficiencies. Using infographics has the ability to create relationships that text and speech simply can’t do alone.

Solutions like this can help to break down the barriers of the technical communication gap by simplifying data. Infographics and well-designed visual aids can foster communication between people with different technical depth. They can develop a unique workflow to popularize complex topics for the general public. The key to success is to focus on the effectiveness of the result, over the nature of the content.

Looking to the future, it’s expected that more and more companies will adopt visual communication tools to help summarize an entire project on one page. Project managers will use these tools to present to senior staff and CEOs. We foresee visual tools as one of the key ways to escalate information throughout an organization. In the future complex projects and data will be captured visually to help present to key stakeholders.