Data Visualization
About 21% of the CIS-PA exam — see all 6 domains.
Data visualizations and widgets
In the Platform Analytics experience, data visualizations (time series, single score, column, pie, list, indicator scorecard and others) are created in the Visualization Designer and placed on Platform Analytics dashboards. In the Core UI, the equivalent are Performance Analytics widgets (time series, score, breakdown, list and other widgets) on responsive dashboards. Visualization types to recognize:
- Time series: the score history line, the signature PA visualization; it can show targets, thresholds, a trend line, a previous-period comparison, and a forecast.
- Single score / latest score and real-time score: the latest collected value, or a live value calculated from the facts table.
- Breakdown visualizations: column, pie, list and similar charts of the elements of one breakdown.
- Speedometer and dial: a single value as a gauge. The speedometer reproduces the indicator target and its traffic light; the dial does not show the target.
KPI Details and the Analytics Hub
KPI Details (Platform Analytics experience) and its Core UI equivalent, the Analytics Hub, are the in-depth view of one indicator: its time series, targets, thresholds, breakdowns and elements, statistics, comparisons, and drilldown to snapshot records. This is where targets and thresholds are created. The old "detailed scorecard" was replaced by the Analytics Hub.
Targets, thresholds, trend lines and forecasts
- A target is a goal value for an indicator, optionally for a breakdown element and from a start date. A target color scheme (by default the 3-color or 5-color traffic light, set on a global target) colors the score by its position relative to the target, taking the indicator direction into account.
- A threshold defines the normal range of scores and alerts you when certain events occur, such as a score reaching an all-time high: the instance generates an email notification, and the threshold appears as a dotted line on time series charts. Thresholds are not the source of traffic-light coloring. Global thresholds need pa_threshold_admin (or pa_power_user, pa_admin); global targets need pa_target_admin.
- A trend line shows the general direction of the displayed scores; a forecast projects future scores and must be configured on the indicator.
Dashboards, filters and signals
- Dashboards assemble visualizations or widgets for an audience. Sharing (users, groups, and role restrictions) controls who can open a dashboard, and Performance Analytics content follows indicator and breakdown ACLs. Collected scores are not filtered by facts table ACLs; only real-time scores are.
- On Platform Analytics dashboards, a filter applies to visualizations based on the same table or indicator breakdown. In the Core UI, interactive filters filter reports, but Performance Analytics widgets do not follow them; they are filtered with breakdown dashboard controls.
- Personalized visuals use dynamic elements so each viewer sees only, for example, their own groups.
- KPI Signals applies process behavior charts (3-sigma) to indicators and notifies responsible users of significant changes. Spotlight ranks records (not indicators) by weighted criteria, for example to triage overlooked incidents.
Sample questions from this domain
Three of the 61 in this domain, with the reasoning. The full set is in the question bank.
What is a widget in Performance Analytics?
- A. A breakdown mapping that links an indicator source field to a breakdown's elements
- B. A data collection job that calculates an indicator's scores and stores them for display
- C. A configurable visualization element that displays an indicator's data on a dashboard ✓
- D. A role that lets users view an indicator's data on a dashboard
Why: A Performance Analytics widget is a configurable visualization element (time series, column, pie, single score, list and so on) that ties an indicator to a visualization on a dashboard. A breakdown mapping is the field or script on the indicator source that links facts table records to breakdown elements, not a display element. A data collection job calculates and stores scores; widgets only read those scores. Viewing access comes from roles such as pa_viewer and from sharing, and a role is not a visualization.
What is a dashboard in Performance Analytics/Platform Analytics?
- A. A record that stores an indicator's collected scores for every breakdown element
- B. An indicator source that defines the facts table and conditions for KPIs
- C. A scheduled job that collects scores for a set of related KPIs each day
- D. A collection of widgets and visualizations arranged to present related KPIs ✓
Why: A dashboard arranges multiple widgets and data visualizations so related KPIs can be viewed together in one place. Collected scores are stored as records in the Scores Level 1 and Level 2 tables, not in a dashboard. An indicator source defines the facts table and conditions that indicators collect from. A scheduled data collection job collects scores; a dashboard only presents them.
Which visualization is best suited to show an indicator's value trending over time with the ability to see a forecast?
- A. A time series/line widget that can include a trendline and forecast ✓
- B. A heatmap widget comparing two breakdowns for the selected period
- C. A pie chart widget splitting the latest score by breakdown element
- D. A list widget showing the records collected for the latest score
Why: A time series (line) widget plots an indicator's scores over time and can show a trendline and a forecast that projects future scores from historical data. A heatmap compares two breakdowns (a breakdown matrix) for one period, not a trend over time. A pie chart splits a single period's score into breakdown elements. A list widget shows the records behind a score, not how the score changes or is forecast.