Data is only as good as a decision-maker’s ability to understand it, and in today’s data-driven global economy, data visualization is one of the most effective ways for leaders to gain insights into a company’s performance so they can make better decisions. Pittsburg State University’s online Master of Business Administration in Data Science and Information Systems program helps professionals acquire advanced technical skills so they can strategically turn vast datasets into actionable intelligence.
According to Tableau, with “the goal of making data more accessible and understandable, data visualization in the form of dashboards is the go-to tool for many businesses to analyze and share information.” As organizations increasingly rely on data to drive strategic decisions, the demand for professionals who can work with data across the entire spectrum — from collection and analysis to visualization and strategic application — has become essential.
What Is Data Visualization?
Data visualization is the process of transforming data into graphical or pictorial formats to simplify complex information and make it meaningful. It supports decision-making by revealing patterns, trends and relationships that are impossible to discern in raw data sets.
Research published in the Journal of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability, for instance, describes visualizations as presentations that support decision-making. The author emphasizes how visualization transforms complex information into actionable insights and is vital for effective communication in any industry or sector. Similarly, the Journal of Computer and Communications highlights visualization’s growing role in driving data-driven decision-making, organizational collaboration and data sharing in business, science and public sectors.
HashStudioz summarizes the benefits of visualization by noting its role in increasing efficiencies, enhancing collaboration and supporting more accurate forecasting. “Businesses that effectively use data visualization can gain a competitive edge over those that rely solely on traditional methods of data analysis,” it concludes.
What Are Data Visualization Tools?
Data visualization relies on a wide array of robust tools to convert raw numbers into compelling graphics and interactive dashboards. Popular data visualization tools allow users to create bar charts, heat maps, geographic maps and more to convey meaning effectively. Along with Quadratic’s AI Chart Generator, the data analytics vendor includes these on its Top 10 list of platforms for 2025:
- Tableau
- Microsoft Power BI
- Qlik Sense
These tools feature drag-and-drop design, seamless data integrations, customizable formats and real-time updates. With cloud-based software and AI enhancements, even non-technical users can generate insightful visualizations. Such versatility empowers teams to explore trends, share findings and drive data-driven decisions across industries.
Why Is Data Visualization Important in Business?
By transforming detailed datasets into accessible charts, graphs and indicators, data visualization enables quick interpretation of complex information. When paired with contextual details, it helps analysts and leaders spot potentially successful strategies, uncover growth opportunities and identify areas that need improvement. It provides clarity that streamlines problem-solving for timely, well-informed action.
Moreover, visualizing data reveals both strengths and shortcomings side-by-side. This functionality provides a balanced perspective that supports effective adjustments. “The beauty of data visualization is that it allows you to customize the graphical presentation of data to the needs of different audiences within the company, ensuring each function has the information needed to make the best decisions,” Scrubbed notes.
What Are Some Data Visualization Examples?
McKinsey & Company’s “2023: The Year in Charts” offers a compelling overview of how data visualization translates intricate information into powerful narratives for decision-making. Its curated set of visualizations across business and society includes:
- Leadership Challenges and Trends Data: This dataset draws from CEO survey responses to identify high-impact concerns, including disruptive technologies, economic fluctuations and geopolitical events. It illustrates which trends executives believe will drive decision-making and strategy into the future, such as AI implementation and resilience planning.
- Global Economic and Inflation Data: Leveraging indexes like the U.S. Consumer Price Index and international inflation rates, these visualizations reveal the dynamic shifts in economies worldwide. The data examines how inflation, food prices and consumer confidence fluctuated in different regions throughout the year, highlighting both persistent and emerging economic pressures.
- Workforce Well-being and Workplace Models: Using survey data on global employee burnout and organizational approaches to flexible work, these charts provide a window into workforce health and the evolution of hybrid work arrangements. The visualizations capture patterns in employee stress levels and how organizations are adapting to new work paradigms.
The McKinsey article emphasizes the importance of clarity, accessibility and storytelling in effective data displays. The compilation highlights how strategic chart selection and visual structure can make big data both engaging and understandable for non-technical audiences.
How Does Visualization Optimize Business Processes?
Data visualization has emerged as a crucial asset for optimizing business processes and fostering communication across teams and stakeholders. Pittsburg State University’s online MBA in Data Science and Information Systems is built to prepare graduates for leadership in data-driven environments.
Students learn to apply business principles supported by tools that guide strategic decisions — skills that are essential for organizational leaders overseeing modern, data-centric teams. By mastering both technical expertise in data visualization and strategic business acumen, graduates are uniquely positioned to drive organizational growth by bridging the gap between complex data analysis and executive decision-making.
Learn more about Pittsburg State University’s online MBA in Data Science and Information Systems program.
