Networking from 5pm to 6pm (Canapés provided, drinks available for purchase from the bar). 
Presentation 6pm to 7pm. Networking from 7pm onwards. 

The Art (and Science) of Diagramming: Communicating Effectively Using Diagrams

Diagrams play a critical role in data management practice: they are used to represent data models and enterprise architectures and communicate these throughout the enterprise. Despite this, data management practitioners typically receive little or no training in how to produce “good” diagrams. As a result, most diagrams produced in data management practice do not communicate effectively. Although they are intended as a way of communicating with business users and senior management, they more often act as a barrier than an aid to communication.

Presentation of diagrams is often considered as a matter of “aesthetics”, implying that it is just a matter of personal taste. However research in diagrammatical reasoning shows that the form of a problem representation has an equal, if not greater, effect on human information processing as its content. The human mind is highly sensitive to the exact form information is presented to the senses, and apparently minor changes in visual appearance can have dramatic effects on understanding and problem solving performance. This suggests that decisions about the presentation of diagrams are far from trivial, and should be taken with as much care as decisions about their content.

This presentation describes a set of principles for producing cognitively effective diagrams (ones that are optimised for processing by the human mind). These principles are not based on common sense but on scientific evidence drawn from a wide range of fields, including visual perception, cognitive psychology, psychophysics, graphic design, information visualisation, and diagrammatic reasoning. The principles apply to all types of diagrams, from formal diagrams used in application development and enterprise architectures to informal diagrams used in presentations and reports.

What you will learn from this presentation:

«     What is meant by a “good” diagram and how to measure it

«     Common errors in diagramming practice and how to avoid them

«     The grammar and vocabulary of graphics: principles of graphic design

«     How diagrams are processed by the human mind: principles of visual perception and cognition

«     Principles for effective diagrams: practical guidelines for producing diagrams that communicate clearly and effectively

Speaker Biography

Dr. Daniel Moody is a Senior Consultant with Ajilon Australia in their Strategy & Architecture practice. He holds a PhD in Information Systems from the University of Melbourne (Australia’s top ranked university) and has held senior IT positions in some of Australia’s largest private organisations. He has conducted consulting assignments in 12 different countries, covering a broad range of industries: banking, airlines, law enforcement, television broadcasting, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, manufacturing, healthcare, education, utilities, transport and forestry. He has also held academic positions at universities around the world, including in Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain.  He has published over 100 scientific papers and has chaired a number of national and international conferences. He has been President of the Australian Data Management Association (DAMA), Australian Representative for the Information Resource Management Association (IRMA) and is listed in Who's Who in Science and Engineering. He speaks fluent English but can say “hello”, “thank you” and “cheers” in at least 10 different languages.