Introduction to Data Visualization.
In today’s digital landscape, data visualization has become a buzzword, often synonymous with software charting capabilities. LinkedIn discussions, such as one initiated by Laura Szepesi today, remind us of this trend. However, while Excel, Tableau, and Power BI all offer charting options, showcasing these features alone hardly demonstrates true visualization skill of a person. Simply generating a chart from data is no longer impressive (we could do that 40 years ago with Lotus 1-2-3) — it’s foundational. The real challenge lies in meeting specific, complex requirements for data visualization, beyond the mere use of a tool’s built-in charting features. It is fundamentally, problem solving.
Understanding the Eurovision Challenge.
To address this need for deeper skills in visualization, I’ve developed the “Eurovision Scoreboard Challenge.” This challenge isn’t merely a showcase of Excel charting capabilities or, indeed, any charting features. In fact, my solution avoids Excel charts altogether. This challenge involves the complex process of collecting and displaying data from 32 countries–spanning Europe and Australia–without any spreadsheet exchanges. Instead, it focuses on creating an agile, native Excel solution that handles real-time data entry and sorting without external add-ins or software dependencies.
This Eurovision-inspired task pushes the limits of Excel’s core functions, not only to visualize but to orchestrate a dynamic, real-time scoreboard. Imagine live voting, where each country provides its top nine scores, followed by a grand 12-point allocation that must update the leaderboard in real time. This visualization isn’t just a static chart; it’s a responsive, live feed reflecting each vote as it’s entered, reordering the leaderboard accordingly.
Beyond Charts: Problem-Solving and Strategy.
This Eurovision scenario is a challenge for anyone versed in data visualization and problem-solving to propose or build a solution, focusing on effective visualization without relying on standard charting tools. Unlike typical chart-based data visualizations, this task requires designing and implementing a robust system that can handle real-time data updates and rapid changes–without the need for extensive software purchases or consultants.
Here’s the core of the challenge:
1. **Data Collection**: Gather real-time voting data from 32 countries, handling nine votes initially, followed by a climactic 12-point vote.
2. **Real-Time Sorting**: As each vote is tallied, the leaderboard must reorder in real time, immediately reflecting the updated rankings.
3. **Visualization without Charts**: The scoreboard must display the data in a visual, engaging way without using Excel’s charting features.
4. **Final Public Vote Update**: Finally, integrate the public vote in a single action, culminating in a complete and accurate leaderboard.
This setup replicates the suspense and immediacy of the Eurovision voting process on live television, underscoring the practical demands on visualization tools in high-stakes, real-time applications.
Invitation to the Data Visualization Community.
I invite professionals and enthusiasts alike to take on this challenge and bring their expertise to bear on a practical visualization that fulfills a real-world requirement. This is not just about showcasing knowledge of a particular tool; it’s about translating an external requirement into an effective visualization that meets all specified needs. The Eurovision challenge isn’t bound by Excel or any particular software–it’s a benchmark for anyone claiming data visualization prowess.
For those interested, the solution I created in Excel demonstrates all of this without a single chart. Videos available on my site outline both the challenge and a high-level view of the solution in action. The exercise is open-ended; whether you build a prototype yourself or simply outline an approach, the goal is to evaluate the difference between posing as a data visualization expert and delivering a tangible, responsive solution.
Conclusion: The Skill of Real-Life Data Visualization.
True data visualization is more than knowing a tool’s features–it’s about turning complex requirements into a seamless, responsive experience. The Eurovision Scoreboard Challenge emphasizes problem-solving, quick adaptation, and understanding external requirements. Whether or not you choose Excel, Power BI, or another platform, the test is in your ability to identify the requirements, devise a strategy, and choose the tools that best fulfill the need.
The Eurovision Scoreboard Challenge is not only a test of skills but a call to elevate the standards of what we consider data visualization. I look forward to seeing how others rise to meet this benchmark.
And analogy: You’re hiring a builder to build you a house. You have drawn a sketch of what you want. The builder, instead of building your house, turns up in a bulldozer to demonstrate what a bulldozer can do. You tell him, you’re not in the market to purchase a bulldozer. You want the house to be built. Can he he do it? Will he do it?
This is an Excel data visualisation challenge from Hiran de Silva. Narrated by Bill.
NOTE: An explainer will be along any minute. TBA.
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