Calculated Measure Generation in Data Visualization Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Business users face difficulties in creating sophisticated analytical views due to the requirement of advanced query skills, such as MDX or SQL, which are beyond the typical skill set of most users, making it non-intuitive to include complex analytical information in user-generated reports and plans.
Innovation Solution
A data analysis system that allows users to create analytical views by selecting dimensions and measures, automatically generating queries for calculated measures like percentage change or trend analysis, enabling users to visualize data changes without needing to author complex queries, using an interface that supports drag-and-drop functionality and context menus for selecting calculation types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users are required to author complex queries (MDX or SQL) to include sophisticated analytical information, then the analytical capability of the system is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because typical business users do not possess these query skills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the complex query system. This intermediary automatically generates and executes MDX/SQL queries based on user-friendly selections of dimensions, measures, and analytical operations. The intermediary translates simple user actions into complex backend operations without requiring users to understand query languages, thus resolving the contradiction between analytical capability and ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically generating the appropriate analytical queries and executing them without human intervention. When a user selects dimensions, measures, and analytical operations through the interface, the system autonomously constructs the necessary MDX/SQL queries, executes them against the data source, and presents the results. This eliminates the need for users to manually author complex queries while maintaining sophisticated analytical capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If the system provides simple value calculations based on measure values, then the ease of operation is improved, but the analytical precision deteriorates because sophisticated analysis cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by providing a flexible, multi-level analytical framework. The system can dynamically adjust the complexity of analysis based on user selections. Users can choose from multiple analytical operations (variance analysis, trend analysis, ratio analysis, etc.) and the system dynamically generates appropriate complex queries. This allows the system to maintain simplicity for basic operations while providing sophisticated analysis when needed, resolving the contradiction between ease of use and analytical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by offering different analytical operation types that modify how measure values are processed. Users can select from various analytical operations (favorable/unfavorable variance, trend percentage, ratio calculations, etc.), and the system changes the underlying query parameters and calculation logic accordingly. This enables the system to provide both simple and sophisticated analysis by changing the analytical parameters rather than requiring separate systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users can customize and generate new reports and plans, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases because users need advanced query skills to create sophisticated views
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by breaking down the complex report generation process into discrete, manageable components. Users interact with segmented elements such as dimension selections, measure selections, and analytical operation choices rather than dealing with monolithic query construction. The system segments the complexity by providing a structured interface where users make sequential decisions about report parameters, and the backend assembles these into complete analytical queries. This reduces the perceived complexity for users while maintaining full customization capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include reception of a selection of a set of one or more elements of a data visualization, the set associated with a measure and each of the one or more elements associated with a value of the measure for a respective combination of one or more dimension members, reception of an instruction to create a second set of one or more elements associated with a calculated measure, where a value of the calculated measure for a respective combination is based on two values of the measure for the respective combination, and where a first value of the two values of the measure is associated with a first time and a second value of the two values of the measure is associated with a second time, and automatic generation of a query to produce the value of the calculated measure for each of the combinations