A Framework for Creative-Visualization Opportunities Workshops

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive framework for conducting creative visualization-opportunities workshops, aiming to streamline early-stage collaboration between visualization researchers and domain experts, based on analysis of 17 workshops across various contexts.

Contribution

It introduces a structured process model, workshop structure, actionable guidelines, and example methods for effective CVO workshops, filling a gap in practical guidance for visualization collaborations.

Findings

Analyzed 17 workshops across 10 contexts to derive best practices.

Developed a process model and actionable guidelines for effective workshops.

Provided an example workshop and methods to facilitate visualization collaborations.

Abstract

Applied visualization researchers often work closely with domain collaborators to explore new and useful applications of visualization. The early stages of collaborations are typically time consuming for all stakeholders as researchers piece together an understanding of domain challenges from disparate discussions and meetings. A number of recent projects, however, report on the use of creative visualization-opportunities (CVO) workshops to accelerate the early stages of applied work, eliciting a wealth of requirements in a few days of focused work. Yet, there is no established guidance for how to use such workshops effectively. In this paper, we present the results of a 2-year collaboration in which we analyzed the use of 17 workshops in 10 visualization contexts. Its primary contribution is a framework for CVO workshops that: 1) identifies a process model for using workshops; 2) describes a structure of what happens within effective workshops; 3) recommends 25 actionable guidelines for future workshops; and 4) presents an example workshop and workshop methods. The creation of this framework exemplifies the use of critical reflection to learn about visualization in practice from diverse studies and experience.