Systems visualization

Systems Visualization

Overview

Systems Visualization is a new field of visualization which integrates the four disciplines of narrative story telling, visual metaphors & visual design, complex systems theory, and knowledge & data representation through the use of ontologies.^[1] Systems visualization is notably different than scientific visualization. Scientific visualization focuses and emphasizes the representation of higher order data using primarily graphics and animation techniques.^[2][3] Systems visualization employs visual metaphors, story telling, systems theory using graphs and trees, and data representation using ontologies. Such features were not a part of scientific visualization. Unlike other visualization approaches such as data visualization, information visualization, flow visualization, scientific visualization and network visualization, which focus mainly on data representation, systems visualization seeks to provide new way to visualize complex systems of systems through this unique integrative approach. Systems visualization involves complex feedback processes not part of other visualization methodologies.^[4] This new field allows visualization of systems which are distributed and complex.^[5]

As a discipline, systems visualization and its principles were formalized by V.A. Shiva Ayyadurai into a new course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).^[6] Given the integrative nature of this field and dearth of tools, a hands-on approach is necessary to appreciate its multi-disciplinary components.^[7] Systems visualization tools such as Rivet, which are few in number, developed by Robert Bosch allows for visualization of complex systems.^[8]

Methods of systems visualization

In systems visualization, complex systems are visualized by the following four methods:

• Narrative story telling: This involves using either story boards such as comic strips flow, or a dramatic movie script to describe the interconnections among various elements of the system.^[9][10]
• Visual metaphors and design: Here the key is to emotionally grab the viewer's attention using a powerful visual metaphor following basic principles of visual design such as balance, contrast, focus and symmetry.^[11]
• Systems theory: Systems are interconnected using directed graphs and trees where one aims to minimize the visual overlap of interconnecting elements.^[12]
• Data representation using ontology: The complexity of systems requires a standardized set of terminology to describe links across data elements. An ontology supports this descriptive data representation.^[13]

Application

In system dynamics, mathematical methods are developed to understand the governing properties across system components.^[14] For large scale systems of systems, the interconnections and emergent properties can be better understood if displayed in a meaningful form.^[15] Therefore, systems visualization is being recognized as an important and necessary component to visually understand complex systems, in addition to the computational and experimental approaches.^[16][17]

References